Aim. The aim was to discover how nurses in acute care take into account patient preferences in daily decision-making in order to foster the patient’s flourishing.Background. The paradigm of Evidence-Based Practice consists in monitoring the components evidence from research, best practice, and patient preferences. It remains unclear in the literature how to value the role of patient preferences in nursing decision-making. Balancing the three components is not included in the current assessment of quality of care. Data Sources. The qualitative research was conducted in 2010 and 2011 with semi-structured interviews. In order to recruit providers of excellent care, senior nurses and supervisors in four hospitals were asked to recommend respondents: Which nurse would you prefer to take care of you or to whom would you entrust your loved ones? A total of 29 providers of excellent care were selected by their colleagues, 27 accepted the invitation for an interview. Results. Patients’ feelings of safety and trust are prerequisites for the respondents for a good caring-relationship. They connect with the individual patient by using techniques to create a ‘click’ and use ‘antennae’ to detect patient preferences in order to support the patient’s autonomy. In case patient preferences conflict with professional norms, they negotiate in an open communication with patients, their family and other disciplines. The attitude of the respondents is inspired by an ongoing process of learning by reflection on practical situations and an attitude of life-long-learning. Conclusion. Excellent nurses balance the three components of Evidence-Based Practice and include patient preferences in their daily decision-making by creating connectedness and using ‘antennae’. These technics are part of a hidden professionalism and indispensable to foster the patient’s flourishing, creating quality of care.