ABSTRACT
Objective
To know the potentialities and limitations of the nurse's performance in the Center for Normal Birth (CPN).
Method
Qualitative approach, exploratory-descriptive type, carried out in 2018, with six nurses working in public intra-hospital CPN in the metropolitan region of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. The collection of information occurred through individual interview, with analysis from the assumptions of the sociology of professions, focusing on the themes: knowledge and autonomy; credentialism; division of labor; labor market and value chart.
Result
The nurse's performance in the Center for Normal Birth (CPN)enhances good practices for childbirth and birth, as well as increases the importance and visibility of this professional in maternal and child care. Clinical care and management emerge as the focus of the nurse's action in the CPN. However, even with the induction of the State to this action, there is still the need for recognition of the competencies and autonomy of the nurse in obstetric care by other professionals.
Conclusion and implications for practice
There are challenges that need to be overcome such as the expansion of autonomy and respect for the accreditation of the nurse to work in the CPN and the harmonization between the management of the work process and management of clinical care by this professional.
Keywords:
Obstetric Nurses; Humanized Birth; Professional Role. Professional Autonomy; Labor Market