Nursing care for people living with HIV has evolved significantly since the beginning of the epidemic, shifting from a biomedical approach to a person-centered paradigm. However, although biomedical and pharmacological advances have made HIV a chronic condition that is manageable, barriers related to stigma, discrimination, and dehumanized care still persist, undoubtedly affecting treatment adherence and quality of life. This essay critically analyzes the integration of empathy and humanization as imperatives and essential components of holistic nursing care for people with HIV. Through a reflection based on the available evidence, it problematizes the tension between the effectiveness of the technical dimension and the human dimension of care, questioning whether clinical competence without empathy is sufficient to achieve optimal health outcomes. It argues that empathy is not an option...