The body speaks: physical and psychological aspects of stress in nursing professionals

Abstract

Objective: identifying the effects of stress on the physical and mental body of nursing professionals working in the ICU of a university hospital in Natal, RN. Method: it was a qualitative study of a descriptive approach, conducted together with twenty-one nursing professionals of that institution. Data collection took place from a semi-structured interview. This started after the study was approved under the CEP-HUOL under number of CAAE 0037.0.294.000-11. The analysis of these data was done by content analysis. Results: the category resulting from the analysis of these data was titled "The suffering body: the manifestations of stress" and among the most evident symptoms by respondents highlight the physical and mental fatigue, muscle pain, imbalance in the cycle of weight. Conclusion: these symptoms contribute to professional stress and diminish the quality of life of these workers in their work environment.