This paper presents a review of national scientific articles that researched about musculoskeletal disorders in nursing workers. It was analyzed the articles published in MEDLINE, LILACS, BDENF-BIREME data basis, during the period of 1996 to 2005. The following selection criteria were adopted: musculoskeletal outcomes, nursing workers' population and publications in national journals indexed in the BIREME system. Fifteen articles met all the selection criteria. In most of them, the inappropriate work conditions were identified as risk factors for the development of musculoskeletal disorders. In these articles, the authors debate the necessity, not only, of a more in-depth research method about musculoskeletal disorders related to the nursing job, but also, the necessity to rethink the work organization.
Cumulative trauma disorders; Occupational health; Nursing; Working conditions