Since the very beginnings of the role of the nurse, this profession has undergone notable changes thanks to a structured framework of normative as well as formative development which has meant that nursing has become an intellectual and autonomous role requiring in-depth subject knowledge and competencies. Within the Italian healthcare system and elsewhere, the nurse is a crucial figure, an integral and integrated part of the professional healthcare teams whose responsibilities require a deeper awareness and knowledge of their role. In order to gain better understanding, it is essential to look at the historical evolution and see how nursing has gone from being considered ‘manual’ work, to what it is today - a highly-skilled, socio-professional role, with all the qualifications, competencies, autonomous decision-making powers and responsibilities that such a role demands - whether dealing with patients, or within the healthcare teams. It follows therefore that such ‘intellectual professionals’ must necessarily be fully aware of their professional responsibilities, and that these must be properly assimilated, also with regards to juridical concepts of responsibility. Although this report is brief, I sincerely trust that such a personal and hermeneutical approach may encourage all within the profession to put into practice and continually improve upon the fundamental principles that are in place to ensure the health and wellbeing of the patient.