WORKING CONDITIONS AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMATOLOGY IN INTENSIVE CARE NURSES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Objective: to analyze working conditions associated with depressive symptoms in intensive care nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: qualitative research, content analysis; with nurses from ICUs at a hospital in Sao Paulo/ SP; semi-structured questionnaire interview. Results: 68 participants from 9 ICUs, mostly female, 28-45 years old; time since graduation, institution working, insitution ICU experience and ICU nursing experience between 1-8 years; without other job; weekly workload 38 - 60 h -more; 10 with previous depression diagnosis, 16 with mild, moderate depression. Working conditions related to depressive symptoms: overload due to workload intensity and emergency admission of untrained professionals to the ICU; absent boss; uninterested colleagues; impotence/suffering by patients, deaths; material shortfall; infecting family members fear; family discrimination for being on the front lines; afraid to get infected. Negative influence on the assistance provided. Final considerations: depressive symptoms associated with inadequate working conditions in ICUs, aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic.