The COVID-19 pandemic confronted hospitals, particularly in nursing service, with unprecedented challenges, straining both nursing staff and resources. Nursing leadership in Germany played a central role in addressing these difficulties by adapting work organization and implementing crisis strategies under constantly changing conditions. Based on the analysis of 30 qualitative interviews with nurse leaders from nine hospitals, strategies across three pandemic phases and throughout the entire pandemic were identified. Eight key strategies, which are infection control, personnel management, capacity adjustments of infrastructure, direct patient care, management of non-COVID-19 patients, communication, continuous evaluation, and teamwork, were identified. The study emphasizes the creativity and adaptability needed to manage the pandemic. It also highlightes the need for further research on how these measures affected nursing staff and how external collaboration can be developed.