[Living in constant conflict: the meaning of teaching in intermediate nursing courses]

This study was a result of the author's inquiries and reflections, aiming at understanding the meaning that nurses teaching in secondary Nursing courses give to their job. Considering the nature of the problem, this qualitative study used the Grounded Theory as its methodological framework. Data were collected by means of both observation and semi-structured interviews with nine teachers from three schools located in areas of the states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo that offer courses to technicians and/or auxiliary nurses. Data analysis enabled the identification of the "LIVING IN CONSTANT CONFLICT" process as the central theme, especially if we consider that the teachers showed ambiguous feelings and actions regarding their professional practice.