The aim of this paper is to enhance reflections on the impact of the Brazilian National Curricular Guidelines in undergraduate Nursing education, in the subject Nursing Administration. Another aim is to cooperate with the elaboration of strategies to be developed for the construction of professional competences, in accordance with the education and professional qualification standards demanded in the job world. The guidelines prioritize the preparation of a generalist, critical and reflexive nurse, with competences and skills to act in distinct realities, mainly in the Unified Health System. The importance of teachers� active, encouraging and problematizing participation is emphasized, helping students to gain �knowledge� and �know-how� in their academic education, permitting competency development for nursing education.