T he main objective in this study was to describe and interpret the meaning of nursing care for professionals at a third level hospital in the city of Bogotá, Colombia.A phenomenological type qualitative method was implemented, with an analysis unit involving 75 professionals who participated voluntarily.From the conceptual referents deductive categories were deduced: What is nursing?What is nursing care?How is care approached?Conclusion: Professionals perceive nursing as a profession that demands training based on technical-scientific abilities and knowledge.There is not only one concept of care.One tendency is oriented towards the seek for well-being and another one towards problem solution.Care is based on the nursing process.