HOSPITAL TOY LIBRARY AND NURSING TECHNICIANS’ ROLE IN A PEDIATRIC INPATIENT UNIT

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Abstract
Objective: to understand nursing technicians’ perceptions in a pediatric inpatient unit regarding the hospital toy library and their role in this environment. Method: this is an exploratory, qualitative study, supported by the Symbolic Interactionism theoretical framework. It was conducted in a pediatric inpatient unit of a university hospital located in the countryside of São Paulo state. Data collection occurred in two stages. The first was mediated by non-participant observation, conducted from August to October 2023, with 25 nursing technicians. The second was mediated by semi-structured interviews, conducted from March to December 2024, with 14 professionals. Reflective thematic analysis guided data analysis. Results: participants considered the toy library an essential space in pediatric units, contributing to coping with hospitalization. However, they relativized the role of the space within their professional scope, despite expressing a desire to be trained to work there. The topics “Benefits of a toy library for children and nursing technicians”, “Nursing technicians’ role in a toy library”, “Control in the toy library”, and “Gaps in institutional support for toy library use” reflect their perceptions of this space and nursing technicians’ work within it. Conclusion: the symbolism of the toy library being an extremely important space in the pediatric inpatient unit was evident. Its contributions include facilitating procedures and promoting treatment and recovery, in addition to symbolizing lightness in a hostile environment. On the other hand, nursing technicians do not recognize the toy library as a space for their responsibility and activity.

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