Case studies and role play: learning strategies in nursing.

Objective:: to report professors' experience in a public university of Southern region of Brazil using case studies and role play as learning strategies for nursing care of hospitalized adults.

Method:: learning experience report from the Nursing Care of Adults I class of nursing undergraduate course.

Results: the development of case studies and role play considered health care needs from epidemiological profile of chronic noncommunicable diseases morbidity and mortality, nursing as an assisting method, and social aspects of hospitalized individuals. Role play planning was made by creating a stage in laboratory of practices and dialogues comprising students and professors interaction.

Conclusion: case studies and role play encouraged students to active search for learning and brought theory closer to real health care situations.