The word ‘kindness’ stems from the concept of kinship and how people relate to and work with others in society. This article outlines how kindness is a vital element of nursing practice, including how kindness is linked to the related concepts of compassion and civility. It explores kindness from the patient’s or service user’s perspective as one of the qualities they value most in nurses, as well as considering why kindness within a healthcare team is important to the delivery of safe and effective care. The author also discusses the concept of ‘self-kindness’ and the importance of leadership in developing an organisational culture that supports the provision of high-quality person-centred care.