This investigation aimed at identifying nurse's competencies necessary to screen blood donors, from those recommended by the International Council of Nurses. A qualitative, descriptive case study was developed at the Hemotherapy Service blood bank of a teaching hospital in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Twenty Five interviews performed by five nurses hired by the service were observed. For observations analysis standard adequacy was used. Six competencies of the professional, ethics and legal area and eleven from care provision and management were identified. Competencies identified in this study will serve as a basis for practice and to prepare generalist nurses to perform clinic screening of blood donors.
Professional competence; International Council of Nurses; Blood donors