Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the lived experience of ethical dilemma of nurses and to describe the structure of the meaning of their experience for nurses. Method: The participants in this study were seven nurses with 3years and more careers who worked at general hospital and university hospital in T, P, K city. The data were collected from May, 2004 to September, 2004 through in-depth interviews untill saturated. The data were analyzed by phenomenological method suggested Giorgi. Results: Five main meanings were identified: Role limitation, Difficulty of decision, Self defensive position, Difficulty of interpersonal relation, A custom of unable expose. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, there is need to study for identify the ethical dilemma of nurses from the viewpoint of korea, and development of nursing ethics guidebook to guide ethical dilemma situation in nursing field.