PLEASURE AND SUFFERING IN THE NURSING WORK IN A PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE THERAPY UNIT

Abstract

Objective: to know the situations that generate pleasure and suffering in the daily work of nursing workers in a pediatric intensive care unit. Materials and methods: a descriptive study with a qualitative approach. The data were collected through a semi-structured interview, with 15 nursing professionals working in a pediatric intensive care unit between September and October 2016. The data were analyzed based on analysis of thematic content, from the point of view of the work psychodynamics. Results: the participants mentioned that the work in the researched sector is permeated both by situations generating pleasure and suffering. Satisfaction in developing care, especially when it is successful in the child's recovery, makes the work rewarding and enjoyable. However, the work also brings suffering associated with the lack of material resources and the experience of the child's death, which is intensified when accompanying family members in this process, generating a feeling of helplessness and frustration. Conclusion: the work in a pediatric intensive care unit can generate pleasure when the worker feels gratified, as well as suffering associated with feelings of impotence and frustration when experiencing the child's death.