OBJECTIVE: to identify the clinical competences of nursing assistants in a hospital organization and to understand how professional acquired these competences. METHOD: an exploratory study of a qualitative approach, performed at a private hospital in southern Brazil, through a semi-structured interview, in May and June 2013 with 20 nursing assistants. RESULTS: the nursing assistantswho worked longer in the same work unit had a higher list of clinical competences. The acquisition of clinical competences occurred through interaction with other professionals; in daily nursing practice; in previous experiences and in formal learning. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: the identification of clinical competences and the way nursing assistants acquire these competences can be important resources for managing people, which can be used by nurse managers to better allocate these professionals and provide th e opportunity for their professional development.
OBJECTIVE: to identify the clinical competences of nursing assistants in a hospital organization and to understand how professional acquired these competences. METHOD: an exploratory study of a qualitative approach, performed at a private hospital in southern Brazil, through a semi-structured interview, in May and June 2013 with 20 nursing assistants. RESULTS: the nursing assistantswho worked longer in the same work unit had a higher list of clinical competences. The acquisition of clinical competences occurred through interaction with other professionals; in daily nursing practice; in previous experiences and in formal learning. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: the identification of clinical competences and the way nursing assistants acquire these competences can be important resources for managing people, which can be used by nurse managers to better allocate these professionals and provide th e opportunity for their professional development.