AIM: This study set out to explore nurses' current contribution to medication education and the clinical contextual factors that influence current practice. METHOD: Nurses' practice was investigated using a case study approach. Methods used to collect data were: audio-recordings and observation of nurse-patient interactions about medication, post-interaction interviews with nurses and patients, analysis of relevant written documentation and researcher observation and field notes. RESULTS: Findings indicate that nurses' contribution to medication education is commonly limited to giving simple information about medicines, involving the name, purpose, colour, number of tablets and the time and frequency for their administration. CONCLUSION: Nurse-patient relationships, patterns of contact and philosophy of care were all identified as contributory factors to enabling the practice of medication education in clinical areas.