A formação do enfermeiro e a estratégia atenção integrada às doenças prevalentes na infância.

Abstract

The Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) strategy aims at improving the quality of care delivered and children's health conditions. This article presents a description and reflection on the introduction of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses in the Nursing undergraduate curriculum, based on the literature and on the experience of the authors teaching at the Nursing program on Children's Health from University of São Paulo (Nursing School and Nursing School from Ribeirão Preto). The authors mention historical aspects regarding the IMCI in Brazil and the principles that guide it. In the end, they indicate the potentials regarding the application of this strategy at the health care units for children, focusing on nurses' performance.