[Coordination of family healthcare units done by nurses: challenges and potential]

This paper starts from the reflection that although the National Policy for Primary Health Care does not define the nurse as the coordinator of Family Health Units, USF very often this professional ends up by taking over this position due to several factors that compose nursing practices. It aimed at analyzing the nurses'coordination of Family Health Units beginning from a descriptive analysis with qualitative approach. The study was carried out with eight nurses from the Primary Health Care network of Porto Alegre-RS through semi-structured interview while the observations were registered in a field diary. The findings were organized from the following categories: coordination activities; potentials before the coordination process; difficulties before the coordination process. In addition, they evidenced a double setting of challenges and qualities that compose the job of coordination nurses. This paper took over old challenges and discussed new perspectives of looking into the primary care work.