Nursing faculty perceptions of the environment of human care/Percepcao de docentes de enfermagem acerca do ambiente no cuidado ao ser humano/Percepcion de los docentes de enfermeria acerca del ambiente en la atencion al ser humano

This qualitative study aimed to identify nursing faculty perceptions of the environment in human care. Data were collected by focus group, in October 2011, from seven nurse teachers on an undergraduate Nursing program at a private institution of higher education in central Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Textual discourse analysis was used. Results: the teachers recognized the importance of the environment, and the relationships formed in it, for human care--and that, in providing care, it is vital to consider human beings in their personal environment and in their overall environment, and understand that both influence their health-disease process. It was concluded that nurses should consider the environment as fostering care and supporting life.