BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pain is a universal fact. As symptom or disease, pain leads to the health system assistance with important considerations in nursing assistance. So, this study aimed at analyzing knowledge acquired by nursing students about pain and its interventions, in two universities. METHOD: This was a transversal, quantitative study, using a questionnaire. Sample was made up of 60 nursing students in the last graduation year, and was carried out in two public universities of the state of Pernambuco, one in the metropolitan region of Recife and the other in the city of Arcoverde, located in the Pernambuco's hinterland mid-region. RESULTS: It has been observed that 42% disagreed with the use of analgesic drugs in fixed times for patients at risk of pain; 72% said they do not medicate patients if pain is bearable; 93% did not recognize morphine as the first choice for pain control of patients not responding to classic analgesia; 80% had no opinion about alternative therapies. Data obtained had a statistical reliability level of 95%. CONCLUSION: It has been observed that the qualification of these future professionals has limitations which may contribute to the unnecessary distress of patients with pain.
Nurse qualification; Pain measurement; Pain study
