ABSTRACT
Objective:
to investigate the construction of professional identity in Brazilian and Portuguese nursing research, according to the perception of their researchers, adopting Gaston Bachelard as a theoretical framework.
Method:
descriptive and exploratory research, with a qualitative approach, undertaken in Brazil and Portugal. Semistructured interviews were held with 17 nurse researchers from both countries, with experience in scientific research and doctorates and/or post-doctorates. Analysis of the data was undertaken in the following order: exploratory phase, selection of the units of meaning and process of codification of the units of analysis, with the respective construction of aprioristic categories.
Results:
two categories emerged for discussion: object and lines of research in nursing; and the political attitude of the researchers.
Conclusion:
the weak points in the construction of the professional identity need to be broken with, based on the undertaking of experimental investigations, with immediate responses for the health services and which meet the social requirements. Professional satisfaction is the best advertisement for the profession. Through professional qualification in nursing it will be possible to occupy better positions and undertake the role of leadership and the political attitude with greater apprpriateness.
DESCRIPTORS:
Nursing; Knowledge; Nursing research; Nursing care; Professional practice