This paper aimed to analyze points in common in the work of women in two professional categories: nurses and municipal guards. This analysis was done by rereading the authors' previous studies. The methodology was based on comparing the characteristics of the day-to-day routines, such as anxiety, tension, risk to life and fear. Concepts like identity, power, gender and defensive ideology were dealt with. It was seen that work forms a constitutive element of identity, influenced by gender and power relations. These are historically constituted and have relational characteristics. It was argued that professional activities involving situations of anxiety, tension and risk promote the construction of defensive ideologies of denial of fear. This stimulates lifesaving ideals, heroic attitudes and ambivalent feelings. It was concluded that work situations in both of these professions, along with the management and organizational characteristics of the work give rise to psychological distress, stress and identity conflicts.
Working women; Identity; Gender; Nurses; Municipal guards