Nursing: From traditional to new pathways

The aim of this article is to share some reflections on the identity construction process of nurses. It is based on two case studies involving two nursing teams, one working in the area of continuing care, the other in community intervention, and which are integrated in two different Health Centers. In addition, information collected informally from several groups of nurses who annually frequent the Curso de Complemento de Forma o em Enfermagem [Complementary Training Course in Nursing] has also been used as well as specialized literature on the subject.It is argued that nurses have constructed their professional identity on the basis of the meanings presented by medicine and the hospital institution, but nowadays, as a result of profound social changes which are occurring on all levels, their experience as carers is becoming more diversified. Indeed, it has become a central point of reflection and the relational aspect of their work with the public is beginning to emerge as a more significant reference in the outlook of nursing as a care profession.It has been concluded that identity construction processes become diversified in accordance not only with the contexts, but also through transformations in the actual organization of Health Services and policies.