VITAL VALUE IN GYNECOLOGICAL NURSING CARE: CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION

ABSTRACT Objective: to understand the values upheld by nursing professionals working in gynecological care, particularly in the context of cervical cancer prevention. Method: a phenomenological qualitative study using a descriptive approach grounded in Max Scheler's Theory of Values. Fifteen interviews were conducted with nurses working in primary care in a municipality in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. The data were transcribed and analyzed using content analysis. Results: based on the identified context units, the category 'Scientific Knowledge' emerged as a vital value for the implementation of best practices in cervical cancer prevention. The values derived from nurses' practices center around the vital value of knowledge, acquired through professional training, which ultimately enhances the quality of healthcare provided to women. Conclusion: the study highlights the significance of scientific knowledge as a core value in nursing practice, crucial for the implementation of effective strategies in cervical cancer prevention. Embracing this value fosters comprehensive, high-quality care centered on women's health, strengthening the crucial role of nurses in primary care and contributing to the overall improvement of healthcare services.