Brazilian and North-American nursing in the HOPE Project (1972): approximations and gaps

Abstract

Objective: Understand the structuring and operation of the Nursing Service on the hospital ship HOPE and the relations between Nursing from North America and from Rio Grande do Norte. Method: Qualitative, sociohistorical research, developed by consulting documentary and oral sources. Results: The analysis revealed the categories: The HOPE Project: impressions of its nurses and Nursing on the hospital ship SS HOPE: Brazilian impressions. These categories revealed a Nursing Service similar to that of a general hospital, ordered by scales and which functioned uninterruptedly in the three shifts. Final considerations: The Nursing Service consisted exclusively of nurses; followed a hierarchical system; with accumulation of administrative and care functions; strict, precise and technical execution of the work. The language and cultural barriers do not seem to have compromised the Exchange and the work system in counterparts.

International cooperation of hospital ship SS HOPE in Natal (1972): health care and education

“…On this occasion, in particular, with the use of a hospital ship for the purpose of promoting humanitarian aid, health education and training of human resources in health in developing countries. In the Brazilian reality, this project was in two analogous moments: Natal (1972) (4) and Maceió (1973) (18) .…”

“…In this condition, the ship's story records the following trips: Indonesia and South Vietnam (1960), Peru (1962-63), Ecuador (1963-64), Guinea (1964-65), Nicaragua (1966), Colombia (1967), Ceylon (1968-69), Tunisia (1969-70), West Indies (1971), all lasting 10 months and, in an unprecedented way, in Brazil where the ship was on two occasions, in Natal (1972) and Maceió (1973). This fact, apparently unusual, may relate to the following circumstances: geopolitical interests; Cold War; political instability in Latin America; precarious health services; lack of human resources in health; previous experiences of humanitarian aid programs in the North and the Northeast; and, use of military bases during World War II (3)(4) .…”

A formação e a (re)construção da identidade profissional de enfermeiros (anos de 1970) [Nurses’ training and the (re)construction of their professional identity (1970s)] [La formación y la (re)construcción de la identidad profesional de enfermeros (años de 1970)]

“…Seu objetivo era compartilhar programas de formação e pesquisas, além de atendimentos à população de países em desenvolvimento. O navio passou 18 meses em Natal, mas algumas enfermeiras permaneceram como colaboradoras da UFRN e contribuíram com a graduação em enfermagem [20][21][22] .…”

“…O navio HOPE, ao aportar em Natal, no ano de 1972, traz consigo não só o propósito de contribuir com a formação dos profissionais da saúde e com a saúde da população, mas, sobretudo, um novo modelo de enfermagem, pautado nos ideais americanos. As enfermeiras do navio HOPE tinham mais liberdade nas suas ações e não eram dependentes dos médicos, conforme ainda era visto no Brasil nos anos de 1970 [20][21][22] .…”

“…Desse modo, a chegada do navio HOPE em Natal foi muito importante para a formação das primeiras turmas do curso, bem como para a constituição da identidade profissional da enfermagem potiguar como um todo, pois a presença de enfermeiras, de âmbito internacional, trabalhando com competência em um navio-escola com alta tecnologia alavancou o prestígio da enfermagem nos estados onde ele ancorou [20][21][22] .…”