This study aimed to verify whether the intervention of short term groups could provide nursing students means to cope with stress, typical of the transition process from the theoretical to the practical learning. Participant observation was used, allowing 12 students in the discipline Fundamentals II, to express their anxieties and anguish towards the new and future role of taking care of other people's health. Results suggest that higher nursing education institutions should consider the group technique not only as a support resource, but also as a didactical resource in their curricula. At a time when educational reforms are discussed, is important to bear in mind that any planned changes will have an effect not only in technical terms but will also affect the human being.