BACKGROUND: There is a consensus among the international community about the importance of clarifying the meaning of “nursing” since it is believed that it influences the practice of nursing and its social status in different countries. AIMS: To explore the concept of nursing in Greece through the perceived meaning of the word “nursing” among nurses and nursing students and to form a definition of the term “nursing”. METHODOLOGY: Five focus groups were conducted, in Athens, Thessaloniki, and in smaller cities situated in rural regions of Northern and Western Greece. Each discussion lasted from 90 to 120 minutes; they were carried out in Greek language and were all audio-taped. At the beginning of each focus-group discussion, the researcher explained the purpose of the study and the voluntary nature of participation. Data were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: The majority of the participants were female (n=29, 85.29%), married (n=23, 67.65%), mean age 32.12 ± 11.9 (min 18, max 55). Five categories were emerged from the data analysis:1) The practice of nursing, 2) Nursing as a profession or as a service, 3) Nursing as a branch of medicine, 4) Nursing as a science and an art, and 5) The social status of nursing. The deriving definition of nursing is: Nursing is a science and an art, a profession of relatively low social status and a service to the society. Nursing is the provision of care to patients with the aim of treatment and rehabilitation as well as, to families and populations. Nursing also includes psychological support, prevention, and health promotion.