Nurses’ mental health competencies in the primary care: a methodological study

Abstract

Aim: To develop a competence scale for nurses' work in terms of mental health in Primary Health Care (PHC). Method: This is a methodological piece of research, in which a quantitative approach will be performed in two steps: 1) the construction and content validation of a scale of competencies for nursing work in terms of mental health in the PHC and; 2) the application of the instrument to the nurses of the Family Health Strategy units of municipalities of the 20th and 21st Health Regional Coordination Department of Ceará. Data will be analysed by comparing averages, by means of Student’s t tests and Snedecor F, and by association and correlations analysis of skills compared with the characteristics of nurses. The standards of Resolution 466/2012, which regulate research involving human subjects, will be adhered to.