Introduction:
By the term transplantation is understood the procedure of transferring cells, tissues or organs within one organism, or between two organisms. The donor of an organ may be a live donor (transplantation ex vivo) or a deceased person (transplantation ex mortuo). The scope of problems concerning transplantation of cells, tissues and organs has become the object of many scientific studies (also with the participation of the medical staff) aimed at the evaluation of knowledge and collection of opinions concerning the problem analyzed.

Objective:
The objective of the study was the recognition of nurses’ opinions concerning the donation of organs for transplants.

Material and Methods:
The study was conducted in July and August 2010 among 100 randomly selected nurses. The research instrument used was a questionnaire form containing closed and semi-opened questions.

Results:
The great majority of nurses (73%) approve of the idea of organ transplantats. However, the presented study showed that the nurses’ knowledge concerning transplantation was insufficient, which may exert an effect on their potential later decisions pertaining to the donation of organs for transplantation. Only 68% of the total number of respondents knew the meaning of the term ‘implied consent’ in the context of the transplantation of organs from a deceased donor, and 72% of nurses knew in which cases organs may be taken for transplantation.

Conclusions:
Nurses participating in the survey approved of the idea of organ transplants and were willing to offer their own organs in the case of such a necessity. Both the presented studies and reports by other researchers indicate the need for an intensified education of the medical staff and students of medical specialties in the medical and legal aspects of transplantation.