O significado do processo de trabalho cuidar para o enfermeiro da UTI

The study has resulted from the desire to comprehend how intensive care unit (ICU) nurses understand the caregiving process. The ICU nurses must be able to promote effective changes in the care provided, to give attention to adversities and be able to act promptly to attend several demands. Aim: understanding the meaning to nurses of the caregiving process at the ICU. Methodology: it consists of a qualitative research with a phenomenological view that has three moments: description, reduction and comprehension. After approval by the Research Ethics Committee (211/08) in 02/06/2008, individual interviews were conducted by using the following guiding questions: What is the working process to ICU nurses? What is it to you, to be an ICU nurse? The study subjects were twelve nurses who worked at the ICUs. Results: the analysis showed the themes: nursing process, relationship with the ICU patient and family, and humanization. Conclusion: From the results it is concluded that nurses working in ICUs in the study report difficulties as well as satisfaction related to caregiving process, especially in the context of the anxieties of patients and families, revealing the difficulties in the processing of feelings. A nurse is recognized by the team as a leader agent and a multiplier of the caregiving actions.