Nursing appointments in primary health care, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil

This is an exploratory, descriptive, and qualitative approach study, seeking to discuss the nursing perceptions about performing the nursing appointment in primary health care practice. Sixteen nurses working in urban Basic Unit Health (Unidades Basicas de Saude) in Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil, participated in interviews during October and November of 2006. The data was organized into topics and analyzed according to thematic literature. The results showed that the nursing appointment has been performed by nurses in a limited fashion, and pointed out difficulties such as excessive bureaucratic activities, weaknesses in the physical infrastructure of the health clinic and in its teamwork. It is concluded that the nurse considers the link between theoretical and practical knowledge important for the acquisition of competence in carrying out nursing appointments as well as seeking full care, aiming for better resolution to the users' health problems.