[Qualified care of childbirth: the nursing staff in Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil]

This study aimed at identifying and characterizing nursing care professionals assisting childbirth at maternity hospitals in the city of Rio Branco, State of Acre. It was conducted at the city's two maternity hospitals (one philanthropic institution and one public). The studied population con-sisted of 30 nursing professionals. The data were collected by means of interviews. The results showed that of the 25 (83.3%) nursing professionals who performed natural childbirth, 18 (72%) had been given training to perform childbirth through informal education, that is, by following or being followed by another professional during their work. It was concluded that, according to the World Health Organization criteria, only 7 (28%) nursing professionals giving care to parturient women at Rio Branco's institutions may be considered to be qualified for such care giving practice, thus showing that there is a need to qualify most of the nursing staff assisting women in labor and giving birth and their newborns.