Inclusion of nurses in acupuncture practice in santa catarina (1997-2015)

Objective: identify the inclusion of nurses in acupuncture practice in Santa Catarina (1997-2015). Method: qualitative, historical-social research, using the thematic oral history technique, based on Eliot Freidson’s sociology of the professions. The participants were 20 acupuncturist nurses. To select the participants, the Santa Catarina Regional Nursing Council and acupuncture training schools in the South of Brazil were contacted and the snowball technique was applied.Results: the nurses chose the specialization out of empathy, desire to practice and wanting to make changes in other people’s lives. The qualification permitted the strategic use of the knowledge and innovating ideals for differentiated care. As for the choice of the training school, they paid attention to institutional recognition and personal facilities. Conclusion: Brazilian nursing has been developing a specialized body of knowledge, guaranteeing its autonomy, expertise and professional credentialism. This study will contribute to the scenario the nurse has conquered and to all researchers working in relation to this theme.