This is a qualitative study using Grounded Theory as the methodological reference and the Process of Work in Nursing as the theoretical reference in order to understand the role assumed by nurses regarding hospital norms and routines applied to family visitors and companions of adult and elderly patients in a teaching hospital. Data analysis identified the theme: defining the modality of family support during hospitalization. This theme aggregates two main categories: becoming the family visitor and becoming the family companion. Through the analysis, it could be observed how established rules, which aims at disciplining and developing an efficient work in the hospital, can expose the lack of autonomy in the work process to modify relations in this context and how the familiar appropriation, as part of the health team, is far from being considered in the institutions.
nursing; family nursing; professional-family relations; adult; aged; work