[Idealization and reality of nursing work at specialized units]

The research aimed at analyzing the nurse's work organization in specialized hospital sectors, and at knowing her conception about the activities in the clinical model of the health care. Through semi-structured interviews, it was found that activities change according to care complexity. The nurse has freedom of action in her routine, which is made in the interdependence relationship of health professionals. The articulating role developed by the nurse related to the physician's work and also to the other institution services was identified. It was confirmed that caring and managing are the nurse's work dimensions, which change according to the activities specification in the different specialized units.