Objective:

To analyse the contribution of autonomous work in informal spaces to educational processes in nursing.

Methods:

A particularistic ethnographic study was carried out. 27 observations were made with field notes in the informal spaces of two Nursing Schools in Medellín, Colombia; and 20 semi-structured interviews with nursing students. The codes and categories emerged using the method of constant comparisons.

Results:

Four categories were found. Individual autonomous work: “identifying what is most important”. “Studying together”: autonomous work in the company of peers. “Sharing experiences”: educational possibilities. “Do everything at the same time”: chaos and learning.

Conclusions:

The chaotic processes, interactions and autonomous work that nursing students carry out in informal spaces contribute to the development of comprehensive and experiential skills for their professional education.