Thirty nursing auxiliaries at a Brazilian hospital were trained in intramuscular injection at the ventrogluteal site in a lecture delivered by videoconference (over an IP connection at up to 512 kbit/s). Participants were able thereafter to practise on the same manikins used for demonstration during the lecture, until they felt confident in carrying out the procedure. They then completed an evaluation questionnaire on the use of videoconferencing as a teaching method. Most of their responses were favourable. The principal reasons given for attending the videoconference lecture were the ability to combine work and education, the opportunity to participate in an innovative approach and an interest in the subject of the lecture. The present study demonstrates the potential of videoconferencing for distance education in nursing.