Abstract
AIM: To explore the managerial competencies engaged in innovative actions among Brazilian nurses working in primary health care. BACKGROUND: The mobilization of managerial competencies favors environments that are in transformation. There is a lack of studies that recognize the managerial skills which influence the implementation of innovative actions in PHC. METHOD: A qualitative exploratory descriptive approach was developed in the PHC of a municipality in Brazil. A total of 76 nurses who worked in management and care participated with a semistructured script being applied on innovative actions implemented in the service. The data were processed in IraMuTeQ 0.7 and later analyzed by descending hierarchical classification. RESULTS: The managerial competencies that influenced the development of innovative actions implemented were as follows: communication and teamwork in planning innovative actions, continuing education for application and implementation, and leadership and people management. CONCLUSIONS: Managerial competencies were used as strategies by nurses to implement innovative actions and contribute to engagement and generating positive results, emphasizing autonomy and the role of nurses as agents of change. Implications for Nursing Management. The identified management competencies contribute to directing and sustaining innovative actions, as well as to identifying critical nodes that need support and innovation.