Motivação no trabalho de profissionais de Enfermagem em um hospital de ensino

Abstract

Work has a central role in the life of people and is influenced by motivation. According to the theory motivation-hygiene by Herzberg, Mausner and Snyderman, motivation at work is determined by motivational factors that relate intrinsic characteristics and are able to promote satisfaction, and by hygienic factors that are connected to the work context and responsible for dissatisfaction. This was a qualitative study aimed at: understanding the meaning of work to nursing professionals in a school hospital; understanding the influence of motivation on the work and identifying motivational and hygienic factors that influenced the motivation of these professionals. The participants were nurses, technicians and nurse assistants linked to Clinical Hospital of Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro. Data were collected from May to July 2012, through semi-structured individual interviews. Critical Incident technique was used as methodological strategy to identify motivational and hygienic factors that influenced the work. Three groups were formed, according to the activities performed: coordination, nurses, technicians and assistant nurses. The number of participants was determined by exhaustion for the coordination group and by saturation for the others. Data analysis was guided by the principles of content analysis. Emerged from the interviews, as meanings for the job: Category 1 - Work in Nursing - which addressed the like, pleasure and satisfaction, highlighting the positive characteristics of nursing work; Category 2 - The context of the work - included the description of work as routine, part of daily or source of livelihood; Category 3 - Challenges of work - referred to difficulties and frustrations experienced. In the identification of factors influencing work motivation, motivational factors, accomplishment and recognition were the most mentioned by the coordination group, especially the nursing care activities. The group of nurses pointed, more frequently, the motivational factor recognition associated with appreciation by patients, and also the motivational factor realization and hygienic working conditions factor had importance. Technicians and nursing assistants mentioned the hygiene factor, interpersonal relations as the main factor that acted on motivation, giving prominence to conflict with co-workers as a reason for dissatisfaction. Technicians and assistants also indicated the motivational factors recognition and achievement, related to positive experiences of patient care. Managers should be aware of the strategies that promote appreciation, acquisition of new skills and autonomy. Effective leadership by managing conflicts, co-management, co-responsibility, self-realization and appreciation can be strategic so that nursing professionals can motivate themselves.