The proposal set forth by the National Policy on Continuing Education in Health (PNEPS) is to train and develop workers for the Unified Health System (SUS). Based on this assumption, the purpose of this study was to analyze the perceptions nursing assistants have about the Continuing Education (CE) process being carried out by the Visconde de Sabóia School for Education in Family Health (EFSFVS), in Sobral, state of Ceará, Brazil. A qualitative descriptive-exploratory study was undertaken involving ten nursing assistants who participated at least once in the CE activities undertaken by the Sobral CE Coordination. Data were collected through focus group techniques, and results were analyzed from the collective subject discourse. The results showed that there were changes in the nursing assistants' practice after their insertion in the CE activities by means of the empowerment and the improvement of competencies (skills, attitudes, and knowledge). Thus, it is necessary for these workers to remain in the CE process, as well as for their systematic assessment in it in order to reach an efficient, transforming professional practice based on constant learning and aiming to qualifying health care.
nursing; continuing education; public health policies; family health strategy
