The study aimed to know the perception of the nurses that work in the health basic units from Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, about their life quality in work (LQW). This is a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study, carried out with seven nurses, through semi-structured interviews, submitted to thematic analysis. Inadequate conditions at work, professional belittling and insufficient support from the managers were categories related to low of low LQW meanwhile the interpersonal relations and the satisfaction with the activity of caring were categories positively related to professional performance and the LQW.
Nursing; Health centre; Working conditions; Quality of life