Client and stakeholder perceptions of a novel, nurse practitioner-led alcohol and other drug ambulatory withdrawal service.

INTRODUCTION: Despite recommendations for ambulatory withdrawal programs appearing in many contemporary alcohol and other drug treatment guidelines, to date there have been few studies exploring such programs from client and service stakeholder perspectives. The aim of this study was to explore both individual and service stakeholder perceptions of a nurse practitioner-led ambulatory withdrawal service on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. METHODS: Data were obtained from three groups: clinicians with knowledge of the service (n = 6); relatives of clients who had used the service (n = 2); and clients who had used the service (n = 10) using a Qualitative Descriptive design. Saldaña's (Saldaña, The coding manual for qualitative researchers. 2013) structural coding framework was used to analyse and code data into themes, with the study reported in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist (Tong et al. Int J Qual Health Care 2017;19:349-57). RESULTS: Participants noted advantages of the nurse practitioner-led ambulatory withdrawal service, including rapid availability of admission to the service and a person-centred approach. Compared with other ambulatory withdrawal options, clients valued the ability to remain in their own environment, however participants suggested greater follow-up after withdrawal, with the potential of a home visiting service for greater client engagement and treatment retention. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide evidence to suggest that nurse practitioner-led ambulatory withdrawal services are an acceptable option for a proportion of clients who need rapid access to services when they wish to make changes to their alcohol and/or other drug use. Furthermore, they can provide person-centred care for comorbid physical and mental ill health occurring in addition to psychosocial issues associated with alcohol and/or other drug use.

Nurses and Voluntary Assisted Dying: How the Australian Capital Territory's Law Could Change the Australian Regulatory Landscape.

On June 5, 2024, the Australian Capital Territory passed a law to permit voluntary assisted dying ("VAD"). The Australian Capital Territory became the first Australian jurisdiction to permit nurse practitioners to assess eligibility for VAD. Given evidence of access barriers to VAD in Australia, including difficulty finding a doctor willing to assist, the Australian Capital Territory's approach should prompt consideration of whether the role of nurses in VAD should be expanded in other Australian jurisdictions. Drawing on lessons from Canada, which currently permits nurse practitioners to assess patient eligibility, we argue that the time has come for Australian jurisdictions to expand the role of nurses in VAD systems. This would be an important step in ensuring access to VAD for patients in practice. Attention, however, must also be paid to ensuring adequate remuneration of nurses (and doctors) if this goal of promoting access is to be achieved in practice.

Patient perspectives on the role of orthopedic nurse practitioners: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The inclusion of nurse practitioners (NPs) specializing in orthopedics shows potential for improving the quality of care for orthopedic patients. A critical aspect of assessing the feasibility and acceptance of introducing NPs into orthopedic settings involves understanding patients' perspectives on this role. This study aims to explore the receptiveness of orthopedic patients to treatment by orthopedic Nurse Practitioners (NPs). Additionally, it investigates potential associations between patients' willingness to engage with NPs, their familiarity with the NPs role, perceptions of nursing, and satisfaction with orthopedic nursing care. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved patients admitted to an orthopedic department in a central Israeli hospital between January and February 2023. Data was collected using a questionnaire consisting of five sections, validated by content experts. Statistical analyses, performed using SPSS, included descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, Pearson correlations, and linear regression. RESULTS: Orthopedic patient participants demonstrated a moderate willingness to undergo treatment by orthopedic NPs, with over two-thirds expressing strong openness. Patients displayed a high willingness for NPs to engage in various clinical tasks, albeit showing lesser enthusiasm for medication management and preoperative evaluation. Positive attitudes towards nurses and familiarity with the NP's role emerged as significant predictors of patient receptiveness to NPs' treatment. CONCLUSION: Patient acceptance of orthopedic NPs varies across different aspects of care. While there is overall willingness to receive care from NPs, these nuanced preferences should be considered when implementing NPs in orthopedic settings. Awareness and positive perceptions play crucial roles in shaping patients' willingness to receive care from these NPs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The research doesn't report the results of a health care intervention.

It Was Like Going to a Battlefield: Lived Experience of Frontline Nurses Supporting Two Hospitals in Wuhan During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: The literature indicates that pandemics significantly impact the mental health of frontline health workers. While the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of frontline nurses have been studied, their lived experiences remain insufficiently explored. Objective: This study aims to investigate the lived experience of nurses who were deployed to support Wuhan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study adopted a qualitative study design. A purposive sample of fifteen nurses were recruited from a group of nurses who supported Wuhan during COVID-19 pandemic. The data was collected during May and June 2020. Data collection occurred in May and June 2020, employing semistructured interviews conducted via telephone. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was utilized to analyze the collected data by two independent researchers. This report follows the COREQ checklist. Results: Frontline nurses supporting Wuhan likened their experience to being on a battlefield. Four superordinate themes emerged: (1) mobilization for combating COVID-19; (2) rapid adaption to a dynamic high-stress environment; (3) navigating psychological distress; and (4) the journey home. Conclusion: This study offers comprehensive insights into the lived experience of nurses deployed from other provinces to assist COVID patients in Wuhan. The findings indicate that despite facing a variety of challenges, these frontline nurses were capable of rapid adaptation and successfully fulfilled their roles. Recommendations for future preparedness in public health emergencies are provided. Additionally, follow-up research is warranted to explore the long-term effects of frontline experience on the mental health of the nurses and their family members.

Factors Associated with Evidence-Based Practice Competencies among Taiwanese Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an essential component of healthcare practice that ensures the delivery of high-quality care by integrating the best available evidence. This study aimed to explore factors influencing EBP among nursing professionals in Taiwan. A cross-sectional survey study was conducted with 752 registered nurses and nurse practitioners recruited from a regional teaching hospital in southern Taiwan. EBP competency was evaluated using the Taipei Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire (TEBPQ). The results showed that participation in evidence-based courses or training within the past year had the strongest association with EBP competencies (Std. B = 0.157, p < 0.001). Holding a graduate degree (Std. B = 0.151, p < 0.001), working in gynecology or pediatrics (Std. B = 0.126, p < 0.001), searching the literature in electronic databases (Std. B = 0.072, p = 0.039), and able to read academic articles in English (Std. B = 0.088, p = 0.005) were significantly associated with higher TEBPQ scores. Younger age (Std. B = -0.105, p = 0.005) and male gender (Std. B = 0.089, p = 0.010) were also identified as factors contributing to higher EBP competencies. The study highlights the importance of ongoing professional development, including EBP training and language proficiency, in enhancing EBP competencies among nursing professionals in Taiwan.

Trainee ANPs' experiences of having a clinical practice facilitator introduced into a Hospital at Night team.

BACKGROUND: The role of the advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) within Hospital at Night (H@N) teams has emerged in line with the demands of the service and the needs of patients in the out-of-hours period. The majority of ANPs with H@N teams are recruited as trainees. There is a high volume of trainees needing support against a low number of experienced ANPs. Introduction of the clinical practice facilitator (CPF) role is one way of addressing these issues. Within this evaluative study of one H@N service, the CPFs are experienced ANPs who have received additional training in the delivery of practice assessment and learner feedback. AIM: To explore the experiences and perceptions of those trainee ANPs who have had or are currently receiving support and supervision from the CPFs in an H@N service in one Scottish NHS health board. METHOD: The CPFs undertook a service evaluation following introduction of the role. Purposive sampling was undertaken whereby a descriptive questionnaire was sent to 22 eligible participants. RESULTS: 16 questionnaires were returned. Qualitative data from the questionnaire generated several themes from the participants' responses: validation of competencies, supporting wellbeing, accessibility of support, designated prescribing practitioner role and support post-qualification. CONCLUSIONS: CPFs are ideally placed to meet the required needs of trainees. Organisational commitment is key to ensuring ANPs are in optimal positions to provide support and supervision for the next generation of trainees.

Practice pathways, education, and regulation influencing nurse practitioners' decision to provide primary care: a rapid scoping review.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Initially established to improve access to healthcare, particularly for primary care, the full potential of the nurse practitioner role is yet to be realised in most countries. Despite this, most countries are working to meet an ageing population's increasing healthcare needs and reduce healthcare costs and access disparities. Achieving these outcomes requires reform at multiple levels, including nurse practitioner practice pathways, education and regulation, and identifying the barriers and facilitators to optimising their primary care role. METHODS: A rapid scoping review of nurse practitioner practice pathways, education and regulation inclusive of: (1) a systematic search of Medline and CINAHL for peer-reviewed English language articles, including opinion pieces published between January 2015 and February 2022; and (2) a web-based search of nurse practitioner program entry requirements of International Nurse Regulator Collaborative country members with a protected nurse practitioner title and prescribing rights, plus the Netherlands. The individually summarised search data was integrated and synthesised using Popay's narrative approach. RESULTS: Emerging evidence from the included nurse practitioner courses (n = 86) and articles (n = 79) suggests nurse practitioners working in primary care provide safe, effective care and improve healthcare efficiencies. However, different regulatory and educational models are required if the primary care nurse practitioner is to meet growing demand. CONCLUSIONS: International variations in entry criteria, curriculum, and regulation shape the global profile of the nurse practitioner primary care workforce and their practice setting. For countries to grow their primary care nurse practitioner workforce to meet unmet needs, different entry requirements, program content and accredited post-registration transitional programs must be urgently considered.

Evaluating the effectiveness of the cardiovascular assessment screening program with nurse practitioners and patients: results of a cluster randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There is inconsistent utilisation of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for cardiovascular disease (CVD) screening and management by healthcare professionals to identify CVD risk factors early and to intervene using current recommendations. To address this issue, the Cardiovascular Assessment Screening Program (CASP) was developed, implemented, and evaluated. This manuscript reports on the second phase of an exploratory sequential mixed methods study that tested the effectiveness of the CASP with nurse practitioners (NPs) and patients in Canada. METHODS: A two-armed, non-blinded, cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) compared the NP-led implementation of CASP with usual care by NPs in community practice clinics across one Canadian province. The NPs were the cluster variable as their screening practices could be affected by their educational training, resources, or other factors. NPs were eligible for inclusion in the study if they were located in different urban and rural community settings and could conduct follow-up visits with patients. NPs recruited and enrolled the patients from their own practices as participants if they were healthy individuals, aged 40-74 years, with no established CVD or vascular disease. Researchers randomly allocated the NPs (n = 10) to the intervention group (IG) or the control group (CG). RESULTS: Eight (8) NPs and 167 patients participated in the cRCT study. Patient participant-level data were analysed by the originally assigned groups IG (n = 68) and CG (n = 99). Utilising GLM (generalized linear modeling) more IG patients (90%; n = 61) received comprehensive CVD screening compared to the CG patients (2%; n = 2), RR = 30.2, 95% CI [8.76, 103.9], p < .0001, controlling for the effect of NP and BP category. CONCLUSION: NP implementation of CASP was effective for comprehensive screening compared to usual care and led to identifying previously unknown CVD risk factors, calculated FRS, heart health priorities and personalised goal-setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrial.gov ID#: NCT03170752, date of registration 2017/05/31.

Clinician Barriers to Ordering Pulmonary Function Tests for Adults with Suspected Asthma.

BACKGROUND: Primary care clinicians do not adhere to national and international guidelines recommending pulmonary function testing (PFTs) in patients with suspected asthma. Little is known about why that occurs. Our objective was to assess clinician focused barriers to ordering PFTs. METHODS: An internet-based 11-item survey of primary care clinicians at a large safety-net institution was conducted between August 2021 and November 2021. This survey assessed barriers and possible electronic health record (EHR) solutions to ordering PFTs. One of the survey questions contained an open-ended question about barriers which was analyzed qualitatively. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 59% (117/200). The top 3 reported barriers included beliefs that testing will not change management, distance to testing site, and the physical effort it takes to complete testing. Clinicians were in favor of an EHR intervention to prompt them to order PFTs. Responses to the open-ended question also conveyed that objective testing does not change management. DISCUSSION: PFTs improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce inappropriate therapies. Of the barriers we identified, the most modifiable is to educate clinicians about how PFTs can change management. That in conjunction with an EHR prompt, which clinicians approved of, may lead to guideline congruent and improved quality in asthma care.

ICU Staffing in the United States.

BACKGROUND: The last national estimates of US ICU physician staffing are 25 years old and lack information about interprofessional teams. RESEARCH QUESTION: How are US adult ICUs currently staffed? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey (May 4, 2022-February 2, 2023) of adult ICU physicians (targeting nurse/physician leadership) contacted using 2020 American Hospital Association (AHA) database information and, secondarily, through professional organizations. The survey included questions about interprofessional ICU staffing availability and roles at steady state (pre-COVID-19). We linked survey data to hospital data in the AHA database to create weighted national estimates by extrapolating ICU staffing data to nonrespondent hospitals based on hospital characteristics. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 596 adult ICUs (response rates: AHA contacts: 2.1%; professional organizations: unknown) with geographic diversity and size variability (median, 20 beds; interquartile range, 12-25); most cared for mixed populations (414 [69.5%]), yet medical (55 [9.2%]), surgical (70 [11.7%]), and specialty (57 [9.6%]) ICUs were well represented. A total of 554 (93.0%) had intensivists available, with intensivists covering all patients in 75.6% of these and onsite 24 h/d in one-half (53.3% weekdays; 51.8% weekends). Of all ICUs, 69.8% had physicians-in-training and 77.7% had nurse practitioners/physician assistants. For patients on mechanical ventilation, nurse to patient ratios were 1:2 in 89.6%. Clinical pharmacists were available in 92.6%, and respiratory therapists were available in 98.8%. We estimated 85.1% (95% CI, 85.7%-84.5%) of hospitals nationally had ICUs with intensivists, 51.6% (95% CI, 50.6%-52.5%) had physicians-in-training, 72.1% (95% CI, 71.3%-72.9%) had nurse practitioners/physician assistants, 98.5% (95% CI, 98.4%-98.7%) had respiratory therapists, and 86.9% (95% CI, 86.4%-87.4%) had clinical pharmacists. For patients on mechanical ventilation, 86.4% (95% CI, 85.8%-87.0%) used 1:2 nurses/patients. INTERPRETATION: Intensivist presence in adult US ICUs has greatly increased over 25 years. Intensivists, respiratory therapists, and clinical pharmacists are commonly available, and each nurse usually provides care for two patients on mechanical ventilation. However, team composition and workload vary.

Branching Path Simulation for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Students to Promote Critical Thinking: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

INTRODUCTION: Branching path simulation (BPS) is an active learning pedagogy incorporating gaming principles in a low-stakes, safe environment. No study has explored the use of BPS in advanced practice nursing education. This study measured pediatric nurse practitioner students' perception of the integration of BPS in one graduate-level course. METHOD: This study used a one group, post-test only quasi-experimental design with a convenience sample of 22 pediatric nurse practitioner students over 2 years enrolled in a university in the Pacific Northwest United States. RESULTS: Responses to BPS were positive: design (M = 4.8; SD ± 0.4), usability (M = 4.3; SD ± 1.0), self-confidence (M = 4.2; SD ± 0.8) and satisfaction (M = 4.8; SD ± 0.4). DISCUSSION: BPS was well received by learners. It not only provides immediate feedback and encourages students to identify their clinical management weaknesses and strengths but it also can be customized to needs in a course at a significant cost saving.

Using the Tasmanian Palliative and End of Life Care Policy Framework (2022) to assess service delivery in a rural general practice.

AIMS: This commentary uses the Tasmanian Palliative and End of Life Care Policy Framework (2022; the TPE Framework) to reflect upon palliative care services delivered by a rural Tasmanian general practice. CONTEXT: Rural populations have challenges in accessing many healthcare services, including palliative care. General practitioners (GPs) and other primary healthcare workers are frequently relied upon to deliver palliative care in rural Australia. Palliative care is often needed before the end-of-life phase and patients prefer this to be delivered in the community or at home. GPs face challenges and barriers in continuing to deliver home-based palliative care services. APPROACH: All Medical Benefit Scheme billings for after-hours or home-based palliative care provided by the practice, between September 2021 and August 2022, were identified and patient demographic and clinical details collated. To further understand this data, nine GPs were surveyed to explore their attitudes to provision of palliative care service to the local rural communities they serve. These data highlighted several priority areas of the TPE Framework. The TPE Framework is used here to add to the shared understanding of palliative care service delivery in a rural community, and to see if GP's responses align with the priorities of the TPE Framework. Of the 258 after-hours and home-visits delivered over a 12-month period, almost 58% (n = 150) were for palliative care. Patients receiving palliative care were generally older than non-palliative patients visited (79.9 years vs. 72.0 years respectively; p = 0.004). Patients not at imminent risk of death (64.0%) were more frequently recipients of home-visits. Of the nine GPs responding to the survey, most intended to continue home visits for palliative patients. Disincentives to providing palliative care during home visits included a lack of time during the day (or after hours), low levels of interdisciplinary coordination or role-definition, and inadequate remuneration. CONCLUSION: Existing frameworks can be used as an implementation and evaluation guide to help understand local palliative care services. Using a Framework, a rural general practice in Tasmania reflected on their provision of palliative care services. Providing holistic palliative care services from a rural general practice is desirable and achievable with a coordinated, team-based approach. Access to and integration with specialist services remains a key component of community-based palliative care pathways.

Competencia emocional y características sociodemográficas y profesionales de las enfermeras / Competência emocionais e características sociodemográficas e profissionais de enfermeiros / Emotional competence and sociodemographic and professional characteristics of nurses

Introducción: En los profesionales de la salud, las habilidades que les permitan lidiar con las emociones propias y ajenas garantizan la calidad de la atención brindada y una relación terapéutica eficaz. Por lo tanto, son fundamentales para los enfermeros, es decir, para aquellos que actúan en las unidades de salud de la familia. Objetivo: Analizar la relación entre la competencia emocional de las enfermeras que trabajan en unidades de salud de la familia en un grupo de centros de salud en el norte de Portugal y sus características sociodemográficas y profesionales. Método: Metodología cuantitativa, de tipo transversal descriptivo-correlacional. Datos recogidos a través de un cuestionario electrónico que constaba de dos partes: características sociodemográficas y profesionales de los participantes y cuestionario de competencia emocional. 66 enfermeras compusieron la muestra. Resultados: Las enfermeras del estudio mostraron altos niveles de competencia emocional (media = 205,1, desviación estándar = 20,9). No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre las características sociodemográficas y profesionales y la competencia emocional.Conclusiones: Aunque no está clara la relación entre la competencia emocional y las características sociodemográficas y profesionales, es cierta la importancia de la inteligencia emocional en la práctica asistencial. (AU)

Introdução: Em profissionais de saúde, competências que permitam lidar com as próprias emoções e com as dos outros garantem a qualidade dos cuidados prestados e uma relação terapêutica eficaz. Daí serem fundamentais para enfermeiros, nomeadamente para os que executem funções em unidades de saúde familiares. Objetivo: Analisar a relação entre a competência emocional dos enfermeiros das unidades de saúde familiar de um agrupamento de centros de saúde do norte de Portugal e as suas características sociodemográficas e profissionais. Método: Metodologia quantitativa, do tipo transversal descritivo-correlacional. Dados recolhidos através de um questionário eletrónico que consistia em duas partes: características sociodemográficas e profissionais dos participantes e questionário de competência emocional. 66 enfermeiros compuseram a amostra. Resultados: Os enfermeiros do estudo apresentaram elevados níveis de competência emocional (média = 205,1, desvio padrão = 20,9). Não se evidenciaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre as características sociodemográficas e profissionais e a competência emocional. Conclusões: Apesar de não ser clara a relação entre a competência emocional e as características sociodemográficas e profissionais, é certa a importância da inteligência emocional na prática de cuidados. (AU)

Introduction: In health professionals, skills that allow them to deal with their own emotions and those of others guarantee the quality of care provided and an effective therapeutic relationship. Hence, they are fundamental for nurses, namely for those who work in family health units. Objective: To analyze the relationship between the emotional competence of nurses working in family health units in a group of health centers in the north of Portugal and their sociodemographic and professional characteristics.Method: Quantitative methodology, of the transversal descriptive-correlational type. Data collected through an electronic questionnaire that consisted of two parts: sociodemographic and professional characteristics of the participants and emotional competence questionnaire. 66 nurses composed the sample.Results: The nurses in the study showed high levels of emotional competence (mean = 205.1, standard deviation = 20.9). There were no statistically significant differences between sociodemographic and professional characteristics and emotional competence. Conclusions: Although the relationship between emotional competence and sociodemographic and professional characteristics is unclear, the importance of emotional intelligence in care practice is certain. (AU)

Building capacity for ATLS trauma education: role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

Objectives: Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) focuses on care of injured patients in the first hour of resuscitation. Expanded demand for courses has led to a concurrent need for new instructors. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants (NPs/PAs) work on trauma services and duties include patient, staff, and outreach education. The goal of this project was to assess NP/PA self-reported knowledge and skills pertinent to ATLS and identify potential barriers to becoming instructors. Materials: This was a voluntary 91-question survey emailed to NP/PA lists obtained from professional societies and online social media channels. NPs/PAs completed a survey reflecting self-reported knowledge, experience, comfort level, and barriers to teaching ATLS interactive discussions and skills. Responses were recorded using a Likert scale and results were documented as percentages. Number of years of experience versus perceived knowledge and comfort teaching were compared using a χ2 test of independence. Results: There were 1696 completed surveys. Most NPs/PAs thought they had adequate knowledge and experience to teach interactive discussions and skills. Those with more years of experience and those who completed more ATLS courses had higher percentages. The number 1 barrier to teaching was lack of formal teaching experience followed by perceived hierarchy concerns. Experience and comfort with skills that fell below 50% were pediatric airway (49.5%), needle and surgical cricothyrotomy (49.8% and 44.8%), diagnostic peritoneal lavage (21.6%), and venous cutdown (20.8%). Conclusion: NPs/PAs with experience in trauma reported having the knowledge and skill to teach ATLS. A majority are comfortable teaching interactive discussions and skills for which they are knowledgeable. The primary barrier to teaching was lack of formal teaching experience, which is covered in the ATLS Instructor course. Training NPs/PAs to become instructors would increase the instructor base and allow for increased promulgation of ATLS and trauma education. Level of evidence: IV.

Application of an Antiracism Framework to Improve Pediatric APRN Education.

Poor health outcomes for children are directly tied to poor social determinants of health and systemic, embedded health care inequities. To prepare the next generation of pediatric advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), nursing schools must educate students to address inequities through innovative curricular models and teaching modalities. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the application of an antiracism framework to a graduate APRN program. This article describes the application of this framework, which led to significant administrative, curricular, and course changes to prepare pediatric-focused APRN students to address the health inequities and poor social determinants of health facing children today. By describing our journey to embed an antiracism framework, other nursing schools can make substantive changes necessary to prepare their students to address these health inequities.

Percepção dos enfermeiros sobre condições de trabalho na atenção primária durante a pandemia de sars-cov-2 / Nurses perception of working conditions in primary care during the sars cov-2 pandemic / Percepción de las enfermeras sobre las condiciones de trabajo en atención primaria durante la pandemia por sars-cov-2

Objetivo: Analisar a percepção do enfermeiro acerca das condições de trabalho no contexto da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) durante a pandemia de SARS-CoV-2. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, transversal, de abordagem qualitativa, recorte de um estudo multicêntrico e de abrangência nacional. Os dados apresentados neste estudo correspondem aos obtidos no estado do Rio Grande do Norte, onde foram entrevistados 45 enfermeiros da APS no período de dezembro de 2020 a abril de 2021. Após as entrevistas, as narrativas gravadas foram transcritas e analisadas através da Análise de Conteúdo de Bardin. Resultados: A partir da fala dos enfermeiros, evidenciou-se que a utilização de Equipamentos de Proteção Individual, a organização e desenvolvimento de novos protocolos e fluxos assistenciais trouxeram sofrimento psíquico aos profissionais, tanto pelas condições de trabalho inadequadas, quanto pela proximidade com o sofrimento de pacientes e o medo de contágio. Conclusão: Mesmo com tantas dificuldades, os enfermeiros lotados na atenção primária à saúde tiveram que reconstruir suas práticas na perspectiva de garantir, dentro dos limites impostos pela situação adversa, a melhor assistência possível, mostrando a força e resiliência das equipes da APS nos mais diversos contextos. (AU)

Objective: To analyze the perception of nurses about working conditions in the context of PHC during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a qualitative approach, part of a multicenter study with a national scope. The data presented in this study correspond to those obtained in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, in which 45 nurses from primary health care were interviewed from December 2020 to April 2021. After the interviews, the recorded narratives were transcribed and analyzed through the Bardin's Content Analysis. Results: The collective discourse showed that the use of Personal Protective Equipment, the organization and development of new protocols and care flows brought psychic suffering to professionals, both due to inadequate working conditions and the proximity to the suffering of patients and the fear of Contagion. Conclusion: Even with so many difficulties, nurses working in primary health care had to rebuild their practices in order to guarantee, within the limits imposed by the adverse situation, the best possible assistance, showing the strength and resilience of PHC teams in the most diverse contexts. (AU)

Objetivo: Analizar la percepción de los enfermeros sobre las condiciones de trabajo en el contexto de la APS durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Se trata de un estudio descriptivo transversal con enfoque cualitativo, parte de un estudio multicéntrico de alcance nacional. Los datos presentados en este estudio corresponden a los obtenidos en el estado de Rio Grande do Norte, en el que fueron entrevistados 45 enfermeros de atención primaria de salud entre diciembre de 2020 y abril de 2021. Después de las entrevistas, las narraciones grabadas fueron transcritas y analizadas a través de la escala de Bardin. Análisis de contenido. Resultados: El discurso colectivo mostró que el uso de Equipos de Protección Individual, la organización y desarrollo de nuevos protocolos y flujos de atención trajeron sufrimiento psíquico a los profesionales, tanto por las inadecuadas condiciones de trabajo como por la proximidad al sufrimiento de los pacientes y el miedo al Contagio. Conclusión: Incluso con tantas dificultades, los enfermeros que actúan en la atención primaria de salud tuvieron que reconstruir sus prácticas para garantizar, dentro de los límites impuestos por la situación adversa, la mejor asistencia posible, mostrando la fortaleza y resiliencia de los equipos de APS en los más diversos contextos. (AU)

Um olhar sobre a autonomia: percepções de enfermeiras sobre suas práticas na atenção primária / A look at autonomy: nurses' perceptions about their practices in primary care / Una mirada a la autonomía: percepciones de los enfermeros sobre sus prácticas en la atención primaria

Objetivo: Analisar a percepção de enfermeiras sobre a autonomia no exercício de suas práticas no contexto da atenção primária à saúde. Métodos: Estudo descritivo de abordagem qualitativa que analisou 108 entrevistas realizadas com enfermeiras(os) das quatro capitais da região sudeste do Brasil. As entrevistas, guiadas por roteiro semiestruturado, foram gravadas e transcritas. Os dados produzidos foram tratados e explorados com auxílio do software NVIVO®. Resultados: A maior parte das participantes eram mulheres, brancas, residiam na mesma cidade onde trabalham, graduaramse em instituições privadas. Foram organizadas duas categorias: repercussões da autonomia e seus desdobramentos para a resolutividade das necessidades em saúde dos usuários; e (des)conhecimento sobre a regulamentação das práticas da enfermeira: desafios para a autonomia. Conclusão: As enfermeiras compreendem a importância da autonomia para suas práticas, mas enfrentam interferências no cotidiano do trabalho, tanto por parte da gestão, da estrutura dos serviços ou da necessidade do uso de protocolos que garantam o exercício de sua atividade profissional de modo autônomo. (AU)

Objective: To analyze nurses' perception of autonomy to exercise their practices in the context of primary health care. Methods: A descriptive study with a qualitative approach that analyzed 108 interviews carried out with nurses from the four capitals of the southeastern region of Brazil. The interviews, guided by a semi-structured script, were recorded and transcribed. The data produced were processed and explored with the help of the NVIVO® software. Results: Most of the participants were women, white, lived in the same city where they work, and graduated from private institutions. Two categories were organized: repercussions of autonomy and its consequences for solving users' health needs; and (lack of) knowledge about the regulation of nursing practices: challenges for autonomy. Conclusion: Nurses understand the importance of autonomy for their practices, but they face interference in their daily work, either by management, the structure of services or the need for protocols that guarantee the exercise of their professional activity. (AU)

Objetivo: Analizar la percepción de autonomía de los enfermeros para ejercer sus prácticas en el contexto de la atención primaria de salud. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo con enfoque cualitativo que analizó 108 entrevistas realizadas con enfermeros de las cuatro capitales de la región sureste de Brasil. Las entrevistas, guiadas por un guión semiestructurado, fueron grabadas y transcritas. Los datos producidos fueron procesados y explorados con la ayuda del software NVIVO®. Resultados: La mayoría de los participantes eran mujeres, de raza blanca, vivían en la misma ciudad donde trabajan y egresaron de instituciones privadas. Se organizaron dos categorías: repercusiones de la autonomía y sus consecuencias para la solución de las necesidades de salud de los usuarios; y (falta de) conocimiento sobre la regulación de las prácticas de enfermería: desafíos para la autonomía. Conclusión: Los enfermeros comprenden la importancia de la autonomía para sus prácticas, pero enfrentan interferencias en su trabajo diario, ya sea por parte de la dirección, la estructura de los servicios o la necesidad de protocolos que garanticen el ejercicio de su actividad profesional. (AU)