This is the first of two articles describing aspects of ordinariness in nursing as they were explored in a phenomenological study on clinical nursing. By way of introduction, it provides an overview of the first phase of the study in terms of its background and method, and describes aspects of ordinariness, showing their relevance to nursing practice. In exploring this phenomenon, this study affirmed a shared sense of humanity as a general group and the enhancing effect this affinity can have on interpersonal relationships.