This article describes the positive and transforming experience of the 'health education' practice, highlighting the results produced on both educators and the people who participated in the education process. The work took place in 2003 in the city of Manacapuru - Amazonas, and it consisted of educational activities designed for teenagers from a public school of the city. The educative activities were based on a methodology for nursing assistance to collective health, using its phases. The results showed, in fact, that health education is essential to the reflection and change of behavior in people's lives. Therefore, health education must be systematically planned and adopted as an important role of the nursing professional.
health education; nursing in community health; nurses' role