Ulcerative colitis is a chronic and incurable disease affecting the colon. The disease is manifested in numerous intestinal and extraintestinal features. It most commonly occurs between the ages of 20 and 40, and 60 an 80, mostly in men. The disease has first been mentioned in 1859. as an entity different from baccilary dysentery. But the first real description of the disease does not appear until 1909. when it was described by Hawkins. The factors that might lead to the development of the disease have been divided into environmental, genetic and immunological factors. In Croatia, the incidence of the disease amounts to ten newly discovered cases per 100 000 inhabitants, data which can be compared to the incidence in highly developed countries. Ulcerative colitis is characterized by numerous remisions, when no signs of the disease are present, and by exacerbations when the colon mucosa appears to be red, edematous, granular and vulnerable with contact or spontaneous bleeding. The disease can affect only rectum (proctitis) or rectum, sigmoid colon and descending colon (left – sided colitis), or colon without caecum (extensive colitis) or may affect the entire colon (pancolitis). When it comes to the treatment of ulcerative colitis, pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments are most commonly combined, or, in the severe cases, surgical treatment might be required. The key element in the prevention and control of the disease, if it has already manifested itself, is for the patient to be promptly and properly educated in which case the nurse has an important role. In addition to good education, a significant role goes as well to the appropriate care of patients suffering from ulcerative colitis which can prevent or delay complications and thus improve patients' quality of life. AIM: To show the role of the nurse in the treatment of patients suffering from ulcerative colitis.