The objective of this hermeneutic phenomenological research was to describe and explain experiences of nurses practicing during the tsunami event at hospitals of Phang-Nga province during the first week after the tsunami attacked on 26 December 2004. The informants were 12 registered nurses who had working experience for at least 1 year and worked in the hospitals during the first week after the tsunami. Data were collected between March and June 2006 using in-depth interviews with an interview guide developed by the researcher. The van Manen’s hermeneutic phenomenological method was used to analyze the data. Findings of the study revealed that the meaning of nurses practising in the tsunami event by the informants was classified into 4 themes: 1) solving all problems and managing all things in responding the clients' needs, 2) caring for the victims with a spirit of nursing, 3) life safety is the most important issue in the critical period, and 4) nursing care by body language for communication. Factors facilitating and inhibiting the practice were also presented. This study provides a deeper understanding for nurses practising in a tsunami. The knowledge gained from this study is beneficial in guiding nurses, practice in disaster nursing, developing guidelines and preparedness for tsunami or other similar mass casualties.