This work was performed at patient discharge time in an IPS in Medellin, Colombia. Objective: To understand the meaning for a group of patients and their families of the communicative strategies used by students when they give directions for nursing home care. Methodology: qualitative ethnographic study. It involved 100 hours of observation, at the time of discharge and 15 interviews with patients and families. The participants were guaranteed confidentiality in disclosure of data. Results: Students taught indications, through messages, demonstrations and written material, assuming that the patient is unaware of their health status. These messages can be forgotten, remembered or modified according to the meaning the patients give to them, either comprehensive or useful. Conclusions: Nursing students must learn communication skills that enable them to establish an effective helping relationship with the patient and his family.