The nursing program is intended to prepare students for future occupational life. One role for nurses in thenursing occupation includes being prepared to communicate well in various patient situations. The aim of thisstudy was to describe variations in nursing students’ conceptions of a drama workshop to practically illustratecommunication in nurses’ work. This qualitative study was conducted at a university in southern Sweden. Interviewswith 15 nursing students were conducted and the data were analyzed using a phenomenographicapproach. Four descriptive categories were identified through the analysis: ‘Conceptions in relation to thedevelopment of empathy’, ‘Conceptions in relation to “my” learning’, ‘Conceptions in relation to personaldevelopment of professional identity’ and ‘Conceptions in relation to the understanding of applying pedagogythrough drama as a method’. This study illustrates that the use of drama in nursing education can increasenursing students’ understanding of professional communication relating to the care of patients. To use drama asan educational method provides opportunities to develop nurses’ professional identity and professional role.Moreover, drama can act as a teaching strategy that increases the understanding of theory through practical exercises.