Objective To explore the effect of case-based teaching of chronic disease and illness care for nursing students using the case from their relatives and friends. Methods Undergraduate nursing students of Grade 2019 were assigned to an experimental group (one class with 44 students) and a control group (another class with 45 students). The experimental group utilized case-based teaching methodology that students′ relatives and friends with chronic diseases were served as the case, while the control group used traditional case-based teaching. The number of hours spent teaching a group was 36. Results There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of theoretical test scores, satisfaction with teaching effect and professional identity of nursing students (all P<0.05). Conclusion Case-based teaching of chronic disease and illness care using the case from relatives and friends of students can effectively enhance nursing students′ theoretical knowledge, satisfaction with teaching and professional identity.