This qualitative and exploratory study investigated the meaning of care for hospitalized children with chronic diseases, accompanied by a family member. Participants were six nurses, who worked in a Pediatric Ward of the teaching hospital of Campinas State University, São Paulo, Brazil. The technique used for collecting data was semi-direct interview. Thematic Content Analysis introduced the thematic category Care for chronically ill children with focus on the disease. This care approach in the nurse's practice was shown to be predominant.28250-9