Reconhecimento e valorização da enfermagem: percepções de enfermeiros atuantes na atenção primária à saúde de Juiz de Fora – MG

Abstract

The history of nursing is permeated by stereotyped images, prejudiced, distorted and erroneous perceptions that are perpetuated until today. The occupation still finds their difficulties for being recognized as a science, even devoloping their activities based on technical, relational and scientific knowledge. From this perspective, the objective of this research was to understand the perceptions of nurses working in Primary Health Care of Juiz de Fora-MG about the recognition and appreciation of their occupation. Descriptive qualitative research methodology was used and the information was obtained by a semi-structured interview. The research was previously approved by the CEP / UFJF, and the answers were studied by content analysis. Four categories were used to organize the answers, which revealed representations of nurses about the acknowledgement and appreciation of their profession; the factors that contributed for these representations; the meanings and implications of the importance of Nursing for nurses; and possible solutions that could help transform positively the scenary in question. It was revealed that these challenges are old and the changes that have been happening over the years are still too slow to reach the ideal scenary.