The work of a Brazilian nursing team of collective health in the special indigenous health district

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the potential and the limits of the actions of the nursing team in the Primary Health Care for the Health of the Indigenous. Methods: This is a quantitative study guided by the Theory of Practical Intervention of Nursing and Collective Health. 230 nursing professionals participated, responding to an instrument about the frequency of the actions carried out in assistance, management, teaching, and research. Results: 168 nursing technicians and 62 nurses participated. As strengths, 80% participated in the assistance most of the time. Stand out: 90.3% and 71% of nurses carried out nursing consultations and house visits, respectively. As a limitation, the involvement in education and research is small. Only 2% of the interviewees carried out scientific researches, reflecting the need to broaden and qualify care and improve the use of traditional practices, overcoming the biomedical model. Final considerations: Nursing assistance is essential in the modification and monitoring of the epidemiological profile of indigenous populations, and its results allow for the planning of quality actions.