[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.