Objective: to analyze the contribution of Portuguese nursing to improving universal health access and coverage by means of the identification of nurses in the health system; evolution of health indicators; and access-promoting systems, in which nurses play a relevant role.
Method: this was documentary research of publications from national and international organizations on planning and health outcomes. Statistical databases and legislation on health reforms were consulted.
Results: nurses represent 30.18% of human resources in the national health service; the systems of access promotion performed by nurses have good levels of efficacy (95.5%) and user satisfaction (99% completely satisfied); in the local care the creation of Community Care Units (185) occurred, and 85.80% of home consultations were performed by nurses.
Conclusion: political strategies, the National Health Service and strengthening of human resources in healthcare are the main determinants. Nursing is the most numerous professional group in the National Health Service, however numbers remain deficient in primary health care. The improvement of academic qualification and self-regulation of this professional group has allowed for better answers in improving health for the Portuguese.