Teaching work routine: challenges to nursing professors in contemporary times

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Higher Education Pedagogy
• Academic Work Organization

Background:

• The organization of academic work significantly influences the quality of teaching and faculty well-being.
• Understanding the specific challenges faced by nursing professors is crucial for improving educational environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To delineate the organizational structure of nursing professors' work.
• To identify and analyze factors that facilitate and impede their professional activities.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative, descriptive study was conducted with nursing professors from federal public universities in Rio de Janeiro.
• Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews.
• Content analysis was employed for data interpretation.

Main Results:

• Key facilitating aspects included a positive work environment, professional autonomy, job satisfaction, technological integration, and group solidarity.
• Hindering elements comprised high work demands, intense work pace, insufficient material and human resources, and academic competition.

Conclusions:

• The organization of nursing professors' work is intricate, characterized by substantial psycho-affective, cognitive, and physical demands.
• These demands contribute to an increased risk of illness among academic nursing professionals.