WORKLOADS AND EXHAUSTION AMONG NURSING WORKERS IN NUCLEAR MEDICINE SERVICES IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Objective: To identify the workloads that generate exhaustion in nursing workers of two Nuclear Medicine Services (NMS) located in southern Brazil. Material and Method: Qualitative research, based on the Psychodynamics of Work, which focused on 12 nursing workers at two NMS, one public and one private. The data were organized using the QualiQuantSoft® software and interpreted through the analysis of the discourse of the collective subject. Results: The surveyed workers are exposed to workloads of internal and external materiality. The biological, physical, mechanical, physiological and psychological workloads were strongly represented in the workers’ discourses. These loads are responsible for exhaustion that is manifested in low back pain, osteoarticular problems, fatigue and psychological stress. The stress shown is directly related to the nature and intensity of workloads in the professional’s daily life. Conclusion: In the field of nuclear medicine, there is an overlapping of workloads that is inherent to the organization and specificities of the work activity. Workloads are manifested mainly in the use of ionizing radiation, and the resulting exhaustion affects the worker’s body with physical and psychological symptoms. Nursing, as a category, should be more assertively involved in this specialty through continuing education and research on the subject, as it is an expanding area of activity for nursing professionals.