Trabalho do enfermeiro em unidade hospitalar: entre o prescrito e o real

To identify how prescribed and true tasks of nurses in a surgical clinic inpatient unit occur. Qualitative study case research carried out with 12 nurses in a surgical clinic inpatient unit. Data were collected through documentary research, systematic observation and semi-structured interview. Content analysis was carried out from the perspective of the ergology framework. Analysis of data revealed the emergence of a category: ‘Nurse’s work in a surgical clinic inpatient unit: between prescribed and true tasks’. The nurse’s work is characterized by pre-established routines and governed by rules and legislation. However, the true task is made evident as the worker is faced with crucial self-giving while micromanaging activities and effecting renormalizations. Nurses’ work is actually borne during true tasks within their frequent endeavor to adhere to the prescribed work.