[Excerpt from authors]This paper was drafted by the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) as the basis for the examination of this important aspect of health care in the region of Latin America, and as a contribution to the International Council of Nurses (ICN). The analysis takes as its framework Pedro Brito Quintana's concept of field of human resources for health. That is, the health care workforce is structured and dynamised by all its aspects, activating processes, tensions and conflicts in accordance with the delivery of health care services. The four central aspects consist of work, education, the labour market and professionalisation processes. These variables are subject to and produce policies, regulations and management mechanisms. Different parties participate with various interests, abilities and degrees of power in the context of their social dynamics. Fran?ais: http://www.icn.ch/global/Issue6LatinAmericaFR.pdf Espa?ol: http://www.icn.ch/global/Issue6LatinAmericaSP.pdf