ABSTRACT Objective: to research studied the meaning of the pedagogical relationship in the training of nursing student and characterizes the role that such a relationship in the practice of reflexive, relational and ethical care student. Method: qualitative research with a Phenomenological-Hermeneutical approach Gadamer, ethnographic. Developed during the clinical practices of 11 students, with their respective teacher and clinical instructors in a School of Nursing of Barcelona, from February 2011 to February 2012. Strategies for data collection were: participant observation, informal conversation, in-depth interviews, and written materials. The data analysis used the method of constant comparisons of Glaser and Strauss. Results: the pedagogical relationship “oriented towards the student” emerged as the thematic core, includes categories such as “being there for the student”, “trust”, and “autonomy”. Conclusions: the pedagogical relationship ‘oriented towards the student’ is a relationship of care that provides support, trust, presence, empowerment, and autonomy.