OBJECTIVE: to describe the profile of nursing professionals involved in ethical occurrences in a specific hospital. METHODS: this is a retrospective, exploratory study using a quantitative approach. RESULTS: data obtained with a previously created form, used to collect information recorded by members of the Nursing Ethics Committee (NEC) of the referred hospital, between 1995 and 2004. Analysis showed distribution of occurrences according to age group, gender, job position, working hours, time in the job, and the person who reported the occurrence to NEC. CONCLUSION: Data have favored partnerships for an educational process involving the NEC, Continuing Education Program, and the nursing managers, pointing out areas that need more investment to prevent these ethical occurrences.
Nursing ethics; Ethics; Nursing team
