Nurses’ managerial and healthcare activities in an intensive care unit

Abstract

The objective of this multiple case study, using a qualitative approach, was to characterize nursing activities within the setting of healthcare management and in the intensive care unit (ICU) of hospitals located in a city in the interior of São Paulo state. Data collection was performed by semi-structured interviews with 29 nurses, which revealed two thematic categories: nursing care and the management of the ICU. Nurses report aspects concerning the systematization of nursing care and the care provided to patients requiring care of a higher complexity. Regarding the management of the unit, nurses mentioned the utilization of protocols, managing material resources and educational activities with the nursing staff, in addition to interacting with other hospital sectors. Although the results reveal the nurses’ coordination of managerial and health care activities, they do not clarify the uniqueness of their role in providing care to critically ill patients in the intensive care unit.

Descriptors: Management; Nursing Care; Intensive Care Units.