OBJECTIVE: To identify the perceptions of nurses in a general hospital about managerial activities for user assistance. METHODS: A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study. The research subjects were 13 nurses from a philanthropic hospital. Data collection was conducted by means of semi-structured interviews, during the period of January and February, 2010. For interpretation of the results, content analysis was used. RESULTS: The management activities highlighted in the process of nursing work, and that resulted in the direct assistance to the user, have been delegated to other professionals in the team. CONCLUSION: The nurses understand the importance of linking clinical and managerial actions, the latter being seen as complementary to care.
Nursing care; Perception; Health services administration; Health management; Nurse's role