Nugent has been signed from Portsmouth until January, with Owen Coyle having an option to purchase the striker should his return to the north-west prove to be a success.
On the evidence of Nugent's second-half contribution, the former Preston North End striker could well have put down the first installment on a permanent move.
The home side went in front from their first real threat on the visitors goal when a Graham Alexander pass found Wade Elliott who advanced into the penalty area before being fouled by central defender Anton Ferdinand.
From the resultant spot-kick Scotland international Alexander sent the ball down the middle of the goal to send Turf Moor wild.
The goal was harsh on Sunderland who had started much the better of the two sides and enjoyed plenty of possession with strikers Darren Bent and Fraizer Campbell causing a constant threat to the home back four.
Bent should have equalised when he took advantage of a mix-up between Burnley's two central defenders Andre Bikey and Clarke Carlisle but the striker shot straight at home goalkeeper Brian Jensen.
Bent was quick to make amends when midfielder Andy Reid calmly placed a delightful pass through the heart of the Burnley defence for the former Charlton Athletic and Tottenham forward to score with ease to register his fifth goal of the season.
The second half continued in a similar vein with the visitors seemingly on top and it needed a fine stop from Jensen who parried a shot from Campbell to keep the Clarets all-square.
The game changed following the introduction of substitutes Nugent and Chris Eagles.
Eagles was involved in the move which saw the home side go back in front with a lovely flowing move down the right wing which ended with a fine Elliott cross and a header from Nugent to open his account for the Clarets.
It got even better for the Merseyside-born striker as another fine move down the right involving Elliott and full-back Tyrone Mears saw Nugent collect the ball with his back to goal, spin away from his marker and fire a left-foot shot into the top corner of the net.