This article explores the experience of humanitarian disaster and emergency nursing, asking the question, "How is difference (and sameness) in being a nurse revealed when working in a disaster/relief context?" The articles discusses interviews with seven nurses, plus the primary researcher, who tell their stories of humanitarian nursing. Stark differences are revealed: extent of injuries, limits of treatment, and overwhelmingness of need. Alongside this is the huge difference of personal danger. Sameness shows itself in the human-to-human call and response to need that holds nurses in such work. Difference and sameness are not fixed; one readily becomes the other.