Abstract

FLORES PENA, Yolanda; ALMEIDA, Maria Cecília Puntel de  and  DURANZA, Rafael Luis Castillo. The nursing work process in care for healthy children at a social security institution in Mexico. Rev. Latino-Am. Enfermagem [online]. 2006, vol.14, n.5, pp. 651-657. ISSN 0104-1169.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692006000500003.

We aimed to analyze the nursing work process directed at care in the Nutrition, Growth and Development Surveillance and Control Program (VNCD) for children under five years at a social security institution in Mexico. The study adopted a qualitative approach and was based on the work category, on conceptions of the work process in health and on institutional analysis. We carried out direct systematic observations and interviews with a group of nurses and their assistants and with mothers who attended nursing appointments with their children. The care process was identified as procedure-centered and based on care protocols, with rapid appointments and little room for interaction between nurses and mothers. However, on some occasions, nurses were capable of producing live work as a result of their self-government, which allowed them to establish a mother/child-centered care nucleus.

Keywords : child care; maternal-child nursing; biomedical technology.