[Utilization of the knowledge of communication by graduate nursing students]

This descriptive study had as main purpose to identify therapeutic communication strategies used by Nursing students from the Nursing School of UFMG and the Nursing School of UFJF, during their practice. The method used for data collection consisted of observation on the interaction between students and inpatients and of interviews with the students. The results showed that although 90% of the students said they learned about communication, they had difficulties to practice in the field what they learned as theoretical knowledge.