Objective: To map perioperative nurses’ main activities in the Brazilian scenario, explained in the current literature. Methods: This is a scoping review prepared in accordance with current JBI guidelines, using the checklist for conducting and reporting the study. The search was carried out by two independent researchers, between August and December 2021, in six databases in the health area, using the descriptors nurses, nurse role, intraoperative period, perioperative nursing, surgical centers. Articles published between January 2011 and October 2022, in English, Portuguese or Spanish, were part of the sample. The information was extracted, classified, synthesized and presented descriptively. Results: Eighteen were included in the research synthesis. The analysis of results made it possible to highlight the implementation of surgical safety measures as prevalent activities in care (50%); in management, material, input and equipment (72%) and room preparation (39%) management; in teaching, permanent nursing education (50%). No studies related to researcher activity were identified. Conclusion: In the Brazilian scenario, perioperative nurses’ activities range from management to assistance with a smaller proportion in teaching, highlighting their strategic position in mobilizing actions that promote safety and quality in perioperative processes. Protocol registration on the Open Science Framework platform: https://osf.io/8jmq6/