Community nurses face many challenges when trying to practice evidence based, person-centred care. Ongoing concerns regarding the impact of the 2013 Francis Report (Ford and Lintern 2017) suggest that individualised and holistic care is an impossible dream; one made harder when the client appears uncooperative. This paper presents a case study which sets out how some of these challenges were met in a potentially difficult situation experienced by a student nurse and her mentor in practice, in which the student was supported to further examine and explore issues that may have influenced the situation. In this instance the solution came with the recognition that the client had expertise and knowledge that needed to be taken into account alongside that of the nurses looking after him. His care became a partnership, not an imposition of expertise; a principle which is transferrable to many other situations. Underpinning it was the recognition of our shared humanity; where lies the essence of truly holistic care. Student nurses learning this, through the guidance and support of their mentor.

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