The experience of nurses at a family health unit in Londrina, and its relation to the responsibilities of the professional exercise

Abstract

Discussions over nursing practices have been intensified and valued over the last few years, due to the need to know and discuss nursing competences and to provide support to the nursing activities carried out by the Family Health Unit (FHU). For this reason, not only knowing what their responsibilities are but also certifying whether they are connected with the reality of their jobs have become indispensable. A qualitative research, using a case study, was developed to analyze, from June 19 2006 to September 6 2006, the activities carried out by five nurses from the FHU of Londrina. The nursing attributions analyzed by this research were those established by the Ministry of Health and the County of Londrina Health Department. Results showed that, although the attributions of the nursing professional exercise are broad, they lead to realistic nursing practices, some being more usual than others. In addition, findings from this study showed that, assistance activities, among other attributions, prevailed with nurses from the Family Health Program (FHP), whereas administration and supervision activities are done by the senior nursing officer. It was concluded that these responsibilities cannot possibly be accomplished by only one nurse, and that a good team work is required, with nurses sharing their tasks, organizing diaries, planning and defining priorities for their practices.