Undergraduate education and the theoretical-practical contents of occupational health

Abstract

This qualitative study was performed with the objective to identify theoretical-practical contents related to Occupational Health taught in the undergraduate nursing course at Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro and discuss the focus, contents and teaching strategies employed to develop the students’ competencies and skills related to this field of knowledge. Data were collected using a form to interview 29 students enrolled in the 7^th semester, after which a documental analysis was performed. Content thematic analysis was used. The study found that the students understand the Occupational Health content they are taught, which comprises several components developed within the institution. However, the theory/practice relationship was unclear, incipient and weak. This result suggests it is necessary to study this issue further, including the perspective of the faculty, for the purpose of strengthening the professional education and training of nurses in terms of the knowledge related to Health and Work.

Descriptors: Education, Nursing; Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; Occupational Health; Curriculum.