This qualitative study aimed to analyze the knowledge and educational practices of nurses in the Family Health Units, in Santarém-PA, North of Brazil, and their utilization of health education tools within the labour process. We conducted semi-structured interviews and observation of educational activities of 15 nurses. From the content analysis, the following themes emerged: conceptions of health education; educational practices within the work process; and a trend to the Popular Education theoretical framework. Despite most of the nurses were Family Health specialists, they mentioned a gap in their professional education in terms of theoretical knowledge about health education. The traditional models were predominant in the conceptions and practices. The labour process is strongly based on Ministry of Health's programs. It was possible to recognize a discrete trend to Popular Education, with attempts to a reorientation of their educational practices, establishing partnerships with other care providers and community leaderships.