Pleasure and suffering in the work of nurses at the oncopediatric hospital unit: qualitative research

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the experiences that generate pleasure and suffering in the work of nurses in an oncopediatric inpatient unit. Methods: Qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study. Data collection took place from March to May 2018, through interviews with eight nurses in an oncopediatric inpatient unit. Results: The verbalized experiences of pleasure were the work developed with children, participation in the treatment and cure of patients and the recognition of family members in relation to the work performed. The suffering experiences were palliative care and death of patients, performing invasive procedures and organizing work. Final considerations: It was possible to analyze the experiences of pleasure and suffering of nurses in an oncopediatric unit through the psychodynamics of work, allowing to reinvent prevention and intervention measures by managers in health/mental illness processes at work.

Pleasure and suffering of nursing in COVID-19 hospital units: between disenchantment and formation of meanings

“…Identification with work content is evident when workers recognize themselves in the role of those who carry out care, considered the central axis of the profession. Similar results were found in other qualitative studies carried out with hospital nursing teams, in which the affinity with the nature of work was referred to as an important experience of pleasure ( 13 - 14 ) . The PDW rescues the concept of symbolic resonance, understood as the compatibility between the symbolic representations of individuals and the reality of work, which occurs when work content incorporates a meaning for individuals and their life history ( 6 - 7 ) .…”

“…Added to this, the participants signaled the moments when they received recognition from patients, linking them to experiences of pleasure, which converges with the results of other qualitative research conducted with hospital nursing teams ( 12 - 14 ) . For PDW, the dynamics of recognition is the central category for the conquest of identity in the social field and in the construction of the meaning of work.…”

“…This refers to the testimonies of nursing workers, which point to the positive results of their work on the front line (patients’ recovery). Qualitative studies carried out with hospital nursing workers also indicated that the recovery of patients operated as an experience of pleasure ( 12 - 14 ) .…”

“…Initially, the narratives related to the daily suffering and deaths of COVID-19 patients stood out, as well as the feeling of helplessness in the face of their clinical decline. Research has indicated that living with death stands out as an important experience of suffering for nursing in hospitals ( 12 , 14 ) , especially when there are bonds between workers and patients ( 13 ) .…”

“…It is known that disruptive interpersonal relationships are a reality in nursing teams and that they imply damage to professionals’ well-being and the performance of their work ( 18 ) . A qualitative study carried out with pediatric oncopediatrics nursing professionals showed that the noise of communication and the management of interpersonal relationships operated as experiences of suffering ( 14 ) .…”