Military Nursing in the Brazilian Army (1992-2020): perspectives of nursing officers in light of Bourdieu.
Fabrícia Conceição de Carvalho, Maria Itayra Padilha, Fernanda Batista Oliveira Santos and 2 others
PMID 41329851WHAT IT FOUND
Fifteen Brazilian Army nursing officers described a conflict between their nursing identity and military hierarchy.
They reported losing autonomy as military orders prioritized administrative tasks over patient care. Female officers noted persistent gender barriers in leadership, despite equal pay at rank.
Key findings
01Officers reported that military orders and administrative duties often superseded nursing care, leading to a loss of professional autonomy and identity.
02While the military career offered equal pay based on rank, female officers faced symbolic violence and limited access to high leadership positions.
03The study identified a 'cultural shock' for nurses entering the military, requiring them to adopt military habits like strict grooming and obedience to gain acceptance.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was small (15 participants) and recruited via WhatsApp and snowball sampling, which may introduce bias. Participants were all nursing officers in the Brazilian Army, so findings may not generalize to civilian military healthcare or other countries. The study relied on self-reported experiences and interviews, which cannot objectively measure the impact of military hierarchy on patient outcomes. The focus was on the professional identity and social dynamics of the nurses, not on clinical care processes or patient safety metrics.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was part of a dissertation supported by the Brazilian Army Health System.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the findings as evidence that military nursing improves or worsens patient outcomes. The study describes the social and professional experiences of nurses within the hierarchy, not the clinical effectiveness of the care they deliver.