THE WORK OF PROFESSIONAL NURSING: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this review is to analyze the characteristics of "work" immersed in the globalized world of contemporary nursing time, according to the results obtained in different publications that talk about it. Methods: Literature review from 2000 to 2010 years on computer databases: Web of Science, MEDLINE, PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, BIREME and CUIDEN, full-text articles that appeared in the title the following descriptors: "Work", "nursing", "occupational health" or "role of the nurse". We obtained 39 studies that met inclusion criteria. Results: The following themes can distinguish in the different research: "activities performed by nurses", "working conditions", "Gender as a characteristic condition", "product consequences of overwork" and "job satisfaction". Conclusion: The functions and activities of the nurse are distributed in different areas, with multiple satisfactions, but often are held in poor conditions, with high demand and stress, but with motivation and commitment.