WORK VERSUS FAMILY LIFE. INNER STRUGGLE AND GUILT IN DAILY LIFE OF NURSES

Abstract

A quality survey of the quotidian life of the woman-mother-nurse including the description of her own appraisal
of that life. The method employed was that of life stories. 25 female nurses of a Rio de Janeiro City public hospital were interviewed about their life stories. The following proposal was made them: Let yourself talk freely about your life as a woman, a mother and a nurse. The analysis of the statements showed that they feel guilty for being out of home and not following family routine and the growing up of children. Keeping the job interferes directly in their lives as they must serve the long hours of work and be away from home. They have to face division and struggle daily in the compromise of their activities. Such ambivalence can get them to neglect self-care and their own sexuality and even to forget their woman essence.