ABSTRACT
Objective:
to know how the nurse's "use of self" occurs in a surgical in-patient unit from the perspective of ergology.
Method:
a qualitative case study based on historical and dialectical materialism and the theoretical reference of ergology. The study participants were 12 nurses working in a surgical unit of a high complexity hospital. The evidence sources for the data production were systematic observation, document analysis and semi-structured interview. The data were produced between March and September 2015. Data were analyzed according to the thematic content analysis.
Results:
The thematic category: Dramatic "use of self" in the work of the nurse in a surgical in-patient unit, emerged from the analysis. It was evidenced that nurses organize themselves in different ways to carry out the work process, concretizing the use of themselves in several situations, which is related to the management of care. It should be noted that, although there is prescribed work, the knowledge, experience and values influence the use of self by these workers, with a view to renormalizing work.
Conclusion:
the nurses in a surgical in-patient unit develop their work based on previous norms, as well as their knowledge, experience and subjectivity, effective use of self, aiming to renormalize activities, exercising autonomy for the improvement of care.
DESCRIPTORS
Nursing; Job; Subjectivity; Ergology; Nurse; Health Service