Aiming at studying the mental health nurse's management activity as an instrument in the work process, a bibliographic study on nursing publications from 1988 to 1997 which concerned that topic was carried out. By reading and critically analyzing 8 articles and 19 selected theses and dissertations, the major characteristics of such practice were identified, namely: mental health nurses are responsible for the nursing team and care according to the logic determined by the institution; their actions are not planned, coordinated or evaluated; management activities take most of their time and direct nursing care is given by the auxiliary nursing team whilst in extra-hospital services, direct and group care are more frequent.
psychiatric nursing; mental health; management