This study aimed to understand the meaning of nursing care to nurses in the hospital. This is a qualitative research, based on theoretical and methodological assumptions of symbolic interaction. It was performed in a semi-intensive unit of a tertiary public hospital in Fortaleza-CE, Brazil. Eleven nurses participated on it. For data collection, it was used semi-structured interviews and field observation simple and, in data processing it was performed thematic category. The ethical aspects have been respected. It was observed that the nursing care means the establishment of the nurse's interpersonal relationships with other health professionals, patients and their accompanying persons. It was understood that, for nurses of the hospital, nursing care means social interaction with people.
nursing care; hospital care; interpersonal relations