Authentic presence is generally understood to be an interaction between a nurse and a patient which utilizes behaviors such as a quiet tone of voice, carefully chosen words, physical closeness, eye contact, and therapeutic touch to come to know the patient as an individual, not as just a diagnosis. Through authentic presence, patients’ calls for nursing can be heard and answered, leading to improved outcomes for nurses and patients alike. The theoretical and philosophical origins of authentic presence are examined, and they are found to support the idea that authentic presence is a crucial component to the practice of nursing as an art and a profession.