This paper presents a research about the conceptions of professional nursing concerning humanization of care, identifying the elements which constitute it. It took part Twelve professionals who were working effectively in nursing care in any shift (morning, afternoon or evening) at the clinic of a public and federal hospital participated in this study. Semi-structured individual interviews and systematic observation were used to generate data. The concepts of the subjects refer to the humanization of empirical care (scientific knowledge), aesthetic (the art of nursing), personal (self) and moral (ethical care). It can be concluded that the humanization of care has a strict relationship to interpersonal relationships and health management, requiring a greater investment in preparing professionals so it has a more humane approach and less protocol, which interferes in the quality of care.
Nursing care; Humanization of assistance; Social psychology