〔Aims〕This study aimed to clarify the learning obtained by nursing students on communication by role-playing suffering patients.

〔Methods〕 In an exercise on end-of-life care for third year students of the nursing faculty at A University, we conducted a role-play in which the students assumed the role of suffering patients. All nursing students experienced the three standpoints of patients, nurses, and observers. The description contents of the report of nursing student who provided consent were analyzed qualitatively and inductively.

〔Results〕The learning of nursing students consisted of the 3 core categories of“the importance of communication to support suffering patients,” “communication method to care for suffering patients,” “own attitude and ability to care for suffering patients.”

〔Discussion〕Role-playing from three standpoints helped nursing students understand the experiences of suffering patients, a care provider, and an observer. We suggest that such experiences will help nursing students learn about communication methods and attitude toward suffering patients.