Job satisfaction of nursing technicians with higher education in the hospital work

Abstract

The objective of this study was to understand the job satisfaction of nursing technicians with higher education. This is a descriptive research with qualitative approach with 14 nursing technicians. The scenarios were the intensive care units of a university hospital, located in a municipality in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. For the data collection, a semi-structured interview was used. As a result, two categories emerged: "It was a watershed": job satisfaction related to improvement after attending higher education; and Feelings of dissatisfaction: frustration and underutilization of the knowledge acquired. Workers perceive a more critical position and present a broader view in labor praxis. However, faced with situations in which they cannot intervene and with non-appreciation for performed activities, feelings of frustration and underutilization arise in the labor context. It is concluded that the achievement of a higher education course by the nursing technicians working in hospitals contributed to the qualification of the care provided, thus impelling to feelings of satisfaction. However, it is necessary, in the scope of health institutions, to rethink aspects that could target greater participation and appreciation of the qualification of these workers.