The nurse’s visibility in intensive care units: perceptions of workers

Abstract

We aimed to understand health worker’s perceptions about the nurse’s visibility who works at an intensive care unit. An exploratory descriptive and qualitative research conducted in a large size hospital in the South of Brazil. Participants were physicians, physiotherapists, secretaries and cleaning workers from intensive care units. Data were collected through semi-structured interview and submitted to content analysis, thematic modality. The nurse’s visibility is recognized by articulation in assistive process, subsidized by scientific knowledge and management capability. The lack of institutional support and work overload were pointed by other professionals as limits. The great responsibility given to nurses and overload are unfavorable factors to visibility, yet, scientific knowledge linked to their actions, gives them visibility, credibility, trust and respect from the team.