[Care for women victims of violence: empowering nurses in the pursuit of gender equity].

OBJECTIVES To study the care of women victims of violence provided by nurses in emergency services and to analyse the practices that target the empowerment of women and gender equity. METHODS A qualitative, descriptive study conducted by means of interviews with 10 nurses of an emergency and obstetrics unit of a university hospital and local emergency service of a city in southern Brazil from January to April 2013. We used thematic content analysis and defined gender as the analytical category. RESULTS Clinical elements refer to nursing procedures and techniques. Non-clinical elements refer to conversation, listening and orientation to the women and their families. CONCLUSION Revealing these actions is important to qualify nursing care in relation to the other health professionals and care services for women victims of violence.