HUMANIZATION IN NURSING: CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THE NATIONAL HUMANIZATION POLICY IN THE SUS

Abstract

The National Humanization Policy (PNH) is an important strategy for improving care and management within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), valuing dialogue, listening, co-responsibility, and the participation of those involved in care. However, its implementation in the daily routine of health services faces challenges related to working conditions, structural and institutional limitations, professional training, and the organization of care processes. In this context, this study aimed to analyze the challenges faced by nurses in implementing the PNH, considering its impacts on the management of health services and the quality of care, as well as identifying strategies that favor the incorporation of humanized practices. This is a narrative literature review, descriptive and interpretive in nature, conducted in the SciELO, LILACS, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases, encompassing publications between 2012 and 2025. The findings were subjected to analytical and reflective reading and thematic categorization. The results showed that work overload, inadequate working conditions, institutional limitations, gaps in training and leadership, and difficulties in interdisciplinary coordination constitute important barriers to humanization. Strategies highlighted included continuing education, active listening, welcoming, multiprofessional integration, strengthening leadership, and creating collective spaces for dialogue. It is concluded that the realization of humanization requires coordination between management, training, and care practice, being conditioned not only by the individual performance of the nurse, but also by working conditions, professional training, management, leadership, interdisciplinary coordination, and institutional support.