We sought to map how nurses are affected during clinical practice by the pain of patients cared for in the Primary Health Care service. A qualitative study, intervention-research that used the theoretical framework of the institutionalist movement and the micro-politics of health work. Eight group meetings were held with nine nurses working within the Primary Health Care sphere. Instruments from the mapping method were used for analysis, which resulted in four plans: The meanings held by nurses concerning their own pain and that of patients; The patients' pain that mobilizes nurses to provide care; The patients' pain that discourages nurses from the supply of care; and Strategies adopted to deal with pain faced during practice. We conclude that nurses face, during clinical practice, the pain of patients as a mirror, and face the pain of providing care as pain of the soul that is expressed in terms of their work lacking meaning. The creation of spaces to discuss work may enable the production of an expanded, inventive practice.
Nursing, Primary health care; Clinical competence; Nurse-patient relations; Patient-centered care