Experiences of nurses in health care for female victims of sexual violence

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To understand experiences of nurses caring for women who have suffered sexual violence. METHODOLOGICAL PROCEDURES: Qualitative-clinical study in which six nurses from a health care service for women who had suffered sexual violence were interviewed in the city of Campinas, Southeastern Brazil, between April and May 2007. Semi-guided interview technique with open questions was used. Data were analyzed following the content analysis technique, based on a psychodynamic framework. The following analytical categories were produced: what they think about, how they feel, how they act and how they react to the work with sexual violence victims. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS: Interviewees indicated receptiveness as key to provide humanized health care and form a bond with clients. Feelings such as fear, insecurity, impotence, ambivalence, anguish and anxiety were reported, causing behavioral changes and interfering with one's personal life, in addition to feelings of professional achievement and satisfaction. Technical qualification and activities aimed at providing psychological support were mentioned as strategies to help this type of care. CONCLUSIONS: Although dealing with feelings such as impotence, fear and indignation, the nurses' perception of relief when fulfilling their job tasks and the personal satisfaction felt when helping these women seem to surpass other feelings, as a form of gratification. The desire to "run away" from the health care service and the willingness to do one's best occur simultaneously and are used as inner mechanisms in the sense of minimizing pain and suffering.