OCCUPATIONAL NURSING IN PORTUGAL: CONTEXT AND PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

Objective: to know the perception of nurses at work regarding the areas of knowledge and intervention. Method: quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study. It involved a sample of 472 occupational nurses. A questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument, which took place between May and September 2017, based on the core areas of knowledge and competencies of the occupational nurse and on the scale of perception of the areas of knowledge and intervention of the occupational nurse. Results: Occupational Nursing was understood by the majority as a transitory professional activity, because it was exercised as a financial complement to the main activity or because they could not be placed in the area of professional practice of their preference. Conclusion: the professional practice in the areas of knowledge and intervention was devalued or not recognized and seen by the majority of nurses as transitory, because almost half aspire to work in the future in this area, but only on a part-time basis.