This paper presents the results of a study made with nurse auxiliaries in a hospital using the work psychodynamics approach. An expression group was created to discuss workers' experiences about their work. The results put in evidence questions linked to suffering due to work organisation and task content. Otherwise, even if suffering was the main theme, aspects related to pleasure in performing their work, due to the constitution of knowledge, identification with the work, to the consciousness of the importance of their acts were also discussed. Somehow they represent themselves as guardians, the last link in the chain of assistance.
Nursing; work in hospitals; work psychodynamics; identity