[Technical competence in the prevention of HIV/AIDS: validation of a tool]. / Competência técnica na prevenção do HIV/AIDS: validação de um instrumento.

This study aimed at building and validating an instrument to measure the technical competence of educational actions developed by nurses in the prevention of HIV/AIDS in Basic Health Units (BHU). The phases for constructing and testing the fidelity of the instrument were: elaboration of items related to the technical competence in the prevention of HIV/AIDS; application of the instrument in a sample of 30 male nurses from different hospitals and teaching institutions. The instrument presented a satisfactory level of stability, homogeneity and reproduction.

[Continuing education in nursing: knowledge, activities and limitations found in a maternity school]. / Educação continuada em enfermagem: conhecimentos, atividades e barreiras encontradas em uma maternidade escola.

The purpose of the present study was to verify the knowledge, activities and the principal challenges of a group of 16 nurses regarding continuing education. As results, many important activities in nursing continuing education were developed, for example: speeches, instructions, courses etc, and we found out that there are many difficulties and barriers to develop a continuing education program at the mentioned institution.