Brazilian nursing has been trying to discuss social-political questions that interfere in health and higher as well as technical education. One of the challenges posed nowadays is the population's aging, which occurs at an accelerated rate and demands redefinitions of roles and actions to attend to the elderly population. This case study aimed to understand the gerontological training of nursing technicians from a cultural approach, using a qualitative methodology. Results revealed deficiencies in the formation of competent nursing technicians who are trained in elderly care. Human beings' use of symbols and meanings of past experiences was seen as a reference point for the promotion of transforming initiatives that correspond to social reality.
nursing; education; geriatrics; aging