Contributions of the Discipline “Complementary Therapies with Emphasis on Medicinal Plants” in the Nurses’ Professional Practice

Abstract

Objective: The study’s aim has been to analyze the contributions of the elective discipline “Complementary therapies with emphasis on medicinal plants” in the nurses’ practice that have graduated from the Nursing School at Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Methods: It is a descriptive-exploratory research with a qualitative approach. Data were collected from September to October 2015, totaling 12 participating nurses. Results: The results show the importance of the discipline in professional practice and in the participants’ family context. The nurses highlighted the theoretical and practical support of the discipline for the applicability of complementary therapies and medicinal plants in daily work practice. Nonetheless, they reported several difficulties for its application, among them the lack of protocols, the discontinuity of care by colleagues and the lack of in-depth knowledge of the theme. Conclusion: It is essential implementing changes in the education of universities in order to provide qualified training and qualified professionals willing to work in this area, and then applying comprehensive care and strengthening the health system.