Abstract

Objective: to understand the management of nursing care at Hyperbaric Medicine Units regarding the concepts and definitions of the Theory of Bureaucratic Caring by Marilyn Ann Ray. Methodology: an exploratory design was used, with involvement by eight nursing professionals who were working in Hyperbaric Chambers located in the cities of Santiago, Arauco and Ancud in Chile. Results: the majority of the participants were female (62.5%), from 30 to 39 years of age (62.5%), under fee contracts (62.5%), and 87.5% met the on-call availability system. Difficulties were observed in providing care in terms of legal, political and economic factors; the development of promotion and prevention actions associated with nursing was considered an opportunity for this specialty, as well as the strengthening of aspects regarding spiritual care. Discussion: the difficulties observed require institutional intervention from different levels; the political and trade union organization of those professionals working in this area will be important. Conclusions: regardless of the difficulties observed, professionals provide care due to the personal effort and commitment existing in the work team.