Performance of primary health care nurses: a phenomenological approach

The objective of this study was to identify the performance of Chilean primary health care nurses. This was a qualitative study based on the approach of social phenomenology. Data collection was conducted between January and April 2013 through interviews with 13 nurses. Nurse performance showed that they experience greater professional autonomy and are closer to users; however, they suffered from professional burnout. Their expectations included the desire to be recognized for their work and better service management. Contributions of this study include the possibility of considering new designs for professional management practices in primary health care from the perspective of Chilean nurses. These designs should be based on the reorganization of work processes and by occupying spaces in macropolitics, influencing the professional performance of nurses at this level of health care.