[Psychodynamic analysis of nurses' work in long term care units: between pleasure and suffering]

Motivated by the constant increase in nurses'mental health problems, the study of Alderson (2001)--using the psychodynamic approach of work ("Psychodynamique du travai")--looks at the subjective and collective experience of nursing in a chronic care facility. The results of the study show that the major source of suffering in the nurses'work experience is their perceived lack of recognition, of autonomy and of professional power, deficits that are largely maintained by an inadequate organization of the nurses'work. Suggested solutions, according to the nurse subjects, include a necessary transformation of work and its context.