The objective of this qualitative, exploratory study was to identify obstetrics nurses' knowledge concerning professional delivery responsibilities. Eleven nurses in hospital delivery wards and/or home birthing in Santa Catarina, Brazil were interviewed from March - August, 2009 for data collection. After analysis, using Discourse of the Collective Subject, Central Ideas emerged concerning themes related to relationships among obstetrics nurses, physicians, and institutions; professional responsibility; and legal and moral repercussions of errors. This study verified that nurses understand little about legal repercussions of potential delivery errors. Assuming their role in assisting deliveries, they must dedicate their total attention to competence limits and predictable error prevention, maintaining that they will also assume responsibility for their failures. An opportunity to bring these nurses up-to-date concerning their legal responsibilities is as important as scientific and may contribute to greater professional self-confidence, creating more efficient overall nursing performance.
Natural Childbirth; Obstetrical Nursing; Liability, Legal
