[Nursing images and representations concerning stress and influence on work activity]

The objectives of this study were: to identify the representations related to working stress factors attributed by nursing professionals and to discuss the influence of those factors on their work activities. The investigation was developed through a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, using the premises of social representations. The performed studies were used as the framework for the analyses. Data collection was performed using individual semi-structured interviews. The content analysis technique was used to understand the images as representations of nursing workers, the meaning of the stressing factors and their influence on occupational activity. The studied population regularly faces the lack of appropriate working conditions, the scarcity of human and material resources and untrained personnel; Nursing workers feel dissatisfied and present mental and physical fatigue, which are situations that may cause stress when performing occupational activities.