The senses of being an enterostomal therapist nurse: complexities involved in the specialty

Carolina Cabral Pereira Da Costa,Jakeline Costa Dos Santos,Rafael Seabra Polidoro Cardoso,Ellen Marcia Peres,Manoel Luis Cardoso Vieira,Norma Valéria Dantas De Oliveira Souza

doi:10.30886/estima.v18.825_in

Abstract

Objective: To describe the meanings of being an enterostomal therapist considering the complexity of the process of caring for people with wounds, stomas and incontinence. Method: A qualitative, descriptive-exploratory study, conducted through a semistructured interview, between the months of January to April 2018, with 22 graduates from a specialization course in Nursing in Enterostomal Therapy from a public university in the Southeast region, following the snowball technique. Documental research was also carried out in order to complement the data analysis. Results: The interviewed graduates reported that being an enterostomal therapist is taking care of people who have a wound, stoma and/or incontinence, which means they recognized the essence of the specialty. They emphasized that being an enterostomal therapist is to care for people who may be marginalized/stigmatized by society, to work with a focus on the patient’s rehabilitation, seeking social reintegration and independence, and to know how to be an entrepreneur. Conclusion: The meaning of being an enterostomal therapist involves being inserted in a specialty that provides flexibility in the job market and an entrepreneurial character, which gives professional recognition and even financial satisfaction. It is suggested, therefore, that further studies be carried out in this area, contributing to the fields of assistance, teaching, research and extension.

Highlights

It is important to emphasize that sense is understood as personal production, the fruit of the individual apprehension of collective meanings in daily experiences
It was noted in the interviews the entrepreneurial nature of enterostomal therapists
The statements of the participants highlighted important aspects that reflect the sense of being an enterostomal therapist, associated with the care from a holistic point of view to the client: “I think that to be an enterostomal therapist nurse is to put into practice what we have learned, to have a holistic look, that is, what that wound, what that stoma brings, to that person’s life, the social question, the emotional question and so on.” (E1)

Summary

Introduction

It is important to emphasize that sense is understood as personal production, the fruit of the individual apprehension of collective meanings in daily experiences.It is important to emphasize that sense is understood as personal production, the fruit of the individual apprehension of collective meanings in daily experiences. The introduction of new technologies in the world of health has changed its workforce in this sector, creating the need to hire more and more qualified professionals for innovations in diagnostic and therapeutic methods This phenomenon is expanding to the nursing field, as an increasing number of nurses have been seeking constant improvement and specialization through postgraduate courses[2]. The moment of choosing a specialty involves many symbolisms and individual and collective meanings, which is not an easy task, as believed in common sense. It is multidimensional, complex and multidetermined by personal, social, philosophical, political and economic factors, among others[2]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion