SOCIAL REPRESENTATIONS OF NURSING: PERSPECTIVE OF ELDERLY NURSES

Abstract

This qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study aimed to investigate older nurses' social representations of the nursing profession, focusing on the meanings they attribute to their work and the challenges they face throughout their professional careers. Data collection involved a questionnaire containing a section with sociodemographic data, analyzed using IBM SPSS 25.0, and a section with three free word association questions. The responses were processed using IRAMUTEQ and analyzed using Descending Hierarchical Classification, Similitude Analysis, Factorial Design, and Word Cloud analysis. The results showed that older nurses associate the profession with values ​​such as dedication, love, and commitment, reinforcing the concept of care as a mission and vocation. However, factors such as professional devaluation, work overload, and inadequate pay emerged as factors that impact these professionals' satisfaction and well-being, revealing a tension between the idealization of care and the challenges imposed by the work environment. Despite the adversities, significant resilience was observed among older nurses, who remain committed to the quality of care they provide. We conclude that the valorization of nursing requires public policies that ensure better working conditions and professional recognition, in order to guarantee not only worker satisfaction but also excellence in care delivery. Future studies are recommended, especially in light of Social Identity Theory, to deepen the understanding of the identity and representational elements of the category.