EMOTIONAL REPERCUSSIONS OF WORK IN INTENSIVE CARE UNITS EXPERIENCED BY NURSES IN BRAZIL

Abstract

The ICU is a very complex work environment that generates some emotional disorders in its workers.  Stress, burnout, suffering, stress at work, pressure, asthena, fatigue, mental overload and depression are examples of some of these emotional changes. The high loads and double working hours among nurses can impact on several aspects of quality of life. Due to this, studies are needed to indicate the importance of feelings and emotions aroused in icu nurses and how to deal with this type of environment, its influence both on the quality of care and on what they can entail in their professional and personal lives. To analyze the scientific evidence available in the literature about the emotional repercussions of work in a therapy unit experienced by nurses and discuss the factors that lead to these changes. Integrative literature review conducted in lilacs, bdenf and scielo databases; via VHL. Nursing is present in the different stages of care, these cares are enhanced in the face of diagnoses that are difficult to deal with.  Thus, strategies are needed to develop the stability and moral sensitivity of nurses related to decision, discussion and reflection about ethical problems. Thus, it was found that high emotional exhaustion affects professionals both physically and psychologically. Public health policies and programs aimed at nurses, especially icu arias, are necessary, adopting measures to prevent and maintain their mental and emotional health, since these professionals in this particular area provide care to several patients.