Aim:

to analyze the challenges faced by nurses in caring for individuals with HIV/AIDS, and their means of confrontation seen in the social representation of nurses regarding their own vulnerability and empowerment.

Method:

thirty nurses from a public hospital were approached through a semi-structured interview. Later, there was an instrumentalized content analysis using NVivo 9.0 software based on a theoretical-methodological approach according to the Social Representations Theory.

Results:

the challenges are seen in the affective, imagery and cognitive dimensions of representation, while the means of confrontation are especially connected to the practical dimension.

Discussion:

vulnerability is confronted by the intersection between political-institutional and humane-affective factors, while empowerment is placed as a fluid process of reframing the performed role.

Conclusion:

there is an urgency to develop programmed tasks aimed at the health of nursing professionals who work with patients with HIV/AIDS...