The purpose was to analyse the managerial work of the nurse, to know nurses' actions, to verify the importance towards the planning and to identify some factors that interfere in the management. A descriptive research was accomplished in 10 basic health units in Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, with 10 nurses. Data collection was carried aout in january 2008, by means of a structured interview. Most of the nurses were female between 37 and 57 years-old. For seven nurses the management of people and the planning are the most important aspects. Some difficulties about the incomplete composition of the teams, lack of professional ability and low financial resource were reported. This research gathers information for knowledge and analisys of the management actions of the nurses in the basic atention.
Nursing; Management; Basic health unit
