Defense strategies in the nursing work environment of long-stay institutions for the elderly.

Objective To describe the defense strategies used by nurses working in long-stay institutions for the elderly when faced with work environment distress. Methodology Descriptive, exploratory and qualitative research performed through interviews held with 27 nurses at long-stay institutions for the elderly between April and September 2013. Data analysis was performed through content analysis and the theory known as work psychodynamics. Results The strategies used were: considering death as something natural, understanding death of those in critical condition as the end to a sufferable condition, understanding the patient's resistance as a symptom of disease and senility, limit the reach of work problems in their personal life, and restrict the affective involvement with patients. Conclusion The nursing professionals indicated the development of individual defense strategies - grouped as protection, adaptation and exploitation measures - in order to deal with situations that generate distress in their work environment.