Absenteeism of nursing staff: decisions and actions of nurse managers.

Objective Measure absenteeism among nurses and nursing technicians/aides in three hospitals and explore possible management decisions by nursing managers to deal with it. Method Quantitative, qualitative study. In the qualitative stage, monthly rates, annual average and overall rates of absenteeism were measured among nurses and nursing technicians/aides from 12 service units in the hospitals, over 12 months, according to the equation proposed by the Support Center for Hospital Management (NAGEH - Núcleo de Apoio à Gestão Hospitalar).