This study aimed to identify and analyze the scientific literature on the topic of professional competence, strategies of health institutions for its development and implications for nursing. It is an integrative review and search strategy was consultation with the electronic databases MEDLINE, LILACS and SciELO. Data collection was conducted between October and December 2010 and selected articles in Portuguese and English, a total of 23 publications. The thematic analysis of the data enabled the construction of three categories: The meanings of the concept of professional competence, Strategies for development professional competence and Implications for nursing. It was verified the predominance of the concept of professional competence from their constituent elements, knowledge, skills and attitudes, strategies and educational training programs for skills training and actions of management, and nursing, the challenge of train professionals competent and committed.
Professional competence; Health manpower; Health management; Managment