AUTONOMIA PROFISSIONAL DO ENFERMEIRO: CONCEITO, OBSTÁCULOS, CONTRIBUIÇÕES

Abstract

Introduction: The theme of this study is the autonomy of nurses. Despite advances in legislation and recognition of the profession, historical, legal, organizational, cultural and educational factors still limit the development of the autonomy of this professional. This research aims to elucidate the autonomy of nurses as portrayed in the scientific literature in the nursing field. Additionally, it also seeks to clarify from which concept of autonomy studies on this issue are being conducted and which limitations and obstacles to the autonomy of nurses are discussed in the scientific literature in the field. Objectives: - To analyze the autonomy of nurses as portrayed in the scientific literature in the nursing field; - to point out the concept of autonomy used in the studies analyzed; to identify which limitations or obstacles to the autonomy of nurses are discussed in the scientific literature; - to present critical reflections that contribute to undergraduate courses rethinking the training of future nurses in order to favor the development of their autonomy. Method: An integrative literature review was used, with a qualitative approach. The search was conducted in the Brazilian Virtual Health Library (BVS/BDENF). Results: Sixteen articles were included and submitted to qualitative content analysis to construct categories. The categories were: Concept of autonomy, barriers and limitations of autonomy, professional training and the development of autonomy during the nursing course. Conclusion: the results allowed us to understand that the concept of autonomy that appears in the studies analyzed is close to a practice based on technical discernment, ethical responsibility and a critical stance towards clinical and administrative decisions. The limitations and obstacles to nurses' autonomy were highlighted as rigid hierarchical structures, resistance to interprofessional dialogue, symbolic and economic devaluation of the profession, and restriction of decision-making spaces. Based on these results, we point out as a critical reflection the need to rethink undergraduate nursing courses, valuing critical training and ethical-political commitment to quality of care and strengthening professional autonomy.