Objective To study the influence of health education under the framework of LEARNS on patients with chronic kidney disease. Methods A total of 90 patients with chronic kidney disease from May 2022 to January 2024 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were randomly assigned. 45 patients in the conventional group were given routine health education, and 45 patients in the study group were given health education under the framework of LEARNS. The self-management ability, kidney function, subjective well-being and quality of life of the two groups were compared. Results The score of AHSMSRS in the study group was higher than that in the conventional group (P < 0.05). After intervention, the levels of cystatin C (CYSC) in the study group were lower than those in the conventional group, and the levels of serum creatinine (Scr) and urea nitrogen (BUN) were higher than those in the conventional group. The overall well-being scale (GWB) score of the study group was higher than that of the conventional group (P < 0.05). The score of kidney disease quality of life scale (KDQOL-36) in the study group was higher than that in the conventional group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Health education under the framework of LEARNS can promote the recovery of kidney function, improve self-management ability and quality of life in patients with chronic kidney disease.