NURSE PRECEPTORS AND NURSING RESIDENTS: INTERACTION IN THE PRACTICE SCENARIO

Objectives: To identify the meaning assigned to the relationship between nurse preceptors and nursing residents, and to analyze how social representations are present in the relation between nurse preceptors and residents. Methods: This is a qualitative study using data analysis based on the Theory of Social Representations, taking into consideration the ideas of Patricia Benner and Glaucia Valente Valladares. Data was collected by using a semi-structured questionnaire with 14 nurse preceptors in a hospital in Rio de Janeiro. The study was submitted for analysis by the Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (CAAE: 5137.0.000.313-09). Results: The preceptor-resident relationship is usually seen as a student teacher relationship, despite the resident's more current knowledge. In addition the resident is represented as inexperienced and lacking in practical knowledge. Conclusion: Irrespective of the resident possessing prior technical skills, they are seen as students that need attention while performing their duties and they should always make the humanization of nursing care a priority.