[Understanding nurses' awareness as to the use of therapeutic play in child care]. / Compreendendo a sensibilização do enfermeiro para o uso do brinquedo terapêutico na prática assistencial à criança.

The objective of this study was to understand how nurses become aware of the use of therapeutic play as a nursing intervention instrument. Symbolic Interactionism was the theoretical framework and Interpretive Interactionism was used as the methodological framework. Participants were seven nurses working at hospitals and outpatient pediatric units who used the therapeutic play in their practice. Four representative themes emerged: Expanding the way he/she sees the child; Becoming fascinated with a new possibility to provide care; Noticing his/her revalidated action; and Committing himself/herself to the theme development. Such themes revealed that when nurses become acquainted with therapeutic play and use it in his/her practice, they begin on a journey that allows him/her to recognize the benefits of this intervention. By doing so, nurses revalidate their actions more and more, thus valuing play as a nursing intervention tool. The authors believe that teaching about therapeutic play and integrating it to nurses' daily practice are challenges yet to be overcome.

[Performing an arterial or venous puncture: its meaning for the Pediatric ICU Nursing team]. / Realizando punção venosa ou arterial: significado para a equipe de enfermagem da UTI Pediátrica.

A preliminary note of a qualitative research using Symbolic Interactionism as theoretical framework and Ground Theory as methodological framework, carried out with nurses, technicians and nursing assistants of a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). The study aimed at understanding the meaning that performing an arterial or venous puncture in children hospitalized at PICU for the nursing team. Preliminary data analysis revealed that the puncture is seen by the PICU nursing team as an important procedure--stressful for the child, family and team--but if performed promptly, such procedure can be good for the personal and professional ego.

[Therapeutic Toy: benefits observed by nurses in nursing practice focused on the child and the family]. / Brinquedo Terapêutico: beneficios vivenciados por enfermeiras na prática assistencial à criança e família.

Qualitative study aimed at presenting and discussing the benefits of the Therapeutic Toy; the experience of nurses that use it in their nursing practice with children and their families. Symbolic Interactionism was adopted as the theoretical framework, and Interpretative Interactionism as methodological framework. Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews with seven nurses who use therapeutic toys as tools for nursing intervention, as well as teaching elements in a pediatric ward. Data analysis pointed to several benefits generated by the use of the therapeutic toy for the child and his/her family, the care environment and the nurse him/herself To experience such benefits makes the nurse feel rewarded, personally and professionally accomplished, thus recognizing its value as an instrument of nursing intervention.