The aim of this study was to comprehend the meaning of using illness narratives to raise awareness among nursing students and healthcare professionals toward the family-centred care model. The adopted methodological framework was Qualitative Content Analysis based on the philosophy of Family-Centered Care. Data were collected by means of assessments provided by 29 participants at an event in 2013, in São Paulo. The resulting analytical category was "transformed by the family narrative", which consisted of three sub-categories: Favours a better understanding of the family's experience; facilitates learning of family issues; and triggers thought on family-centered care. Results showed that hearing the family narrative on experiences with illness and hospitalization raises awareness among nursing students and healthcare professionals toward the family-centered care model, and facilitates learning of this model of care.