[The meaning of care in the perspective of nurse aides students]. / O significado de cuidar na perspectiva de alunos de um curso de auxiliar de enfermagem.

This is a descriptive exploratory study. It aims to identify the meaning of care in Nursing on the perspective o eighteen Nurse aides students. To collect the data, it was asked to the students to write down an answer to the following question: "What is the meaning of care to me?" The data was separated in groups that pointed to two categories and their elements: the expressive care and the professional care. Expressive care presented itself as: affection, giving, being present, protection, concerning, being available, understanding, respecting, comforting, being responsible, solidarity, providing security, having intention, sharing/exchanging. Professional care showed to be: assist/care, technical competence, professional knowledge and to like what is done.