Purpose: To comprehend the meaning and perception of the meaning of life as expressed by first-year nursing students. From this meaning, we sought to identify concepts and elements linked to nursing care and to extract useful generalizations so as to better understand this practice and contribute to the development of the discipline. Design: This study is based on grounded theory qualitative research undertaken with first-year nursing students. Method: This is a qualitative study in the social constructivist paradigm, following an interpretive grounded theory methodology. Sample was recruited by mutual agreement. Reliability and ethical criteria were applied. Findings: From the analysis of the contributions made to the students' forum, five categories emerged: 1) attitude in the face of suffering, 2) freedom and love, 3) empathy in the face of extreme suffering, 4) meaning of suffering, 5) meaning of life and freedom. Conclusions and implications: The reflections of future healthcare professionals represent a contribution to comprehending meaning in human life. In order to confront the search for meaning in situations marked by suffering, the individual may manifest various attitudes that are seen primarily as defense mechanisms, but in which inhere values such as hope and resilience. Clinical Relevance: The three paths proposed by Víctor Frankl are use to nurses in finding meaning in their profession: feeling useful in providing personal care, loving another human and finding the value in life, in particular when suffering is unavoidable. This knowledge is critical for educators seeking to promote genuinely care.

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