Juliana Campos: “Occupational Health Nursing is a field with a major impact on communities.”

 

You are a nurse at IKEA Industry. What professional path brought you here?

I worked for several years at the Lisbon Western Hospital Center. In 2021, I returned to the north of the country for personal reasons. That’s when the opportunity arose to work at IKEA Industry in the field of Occupational Health Nursing. It was a completely new area for me and represented a huge challenge. I went from treating patients to taking care of employees. I shifted from a curative focus to a preventive one.

 

What is the focus of Occupational Health Nursing?

The main goal of Occupational Health Nursing is prevention. Of course, we also deal with work-related accidents and take curative action as well, but it is not the focus. The focus is on prevention and awareness. At IKEA Industry, we have around 2,000 employees, and we work with this community on health education and promotion.

 

“Católica helped me broaden my horizons.”

 

When did you decide to pursue a postgraduate degree in Nursing at the Faculty of Health Sciences at Universidade Católica Portuguesa?
I made that decision after taking on the coordination role at IKEA Industry, where I was already managing a team of nine nurses. I felt a strong need to deepen my knowledge. To manage effectively, it’s essential to understand what you're doing. Many issues raised doubts, and I wanted to understand them better. I looked for a reputable educational institution and, based on the references, I trusted Universidade Católica.

 

What stood out to you the most during the postgraduate course?

Católica helped me broaden my horizons. When I started the postgraduate program, I had already been working in the field for a few months, but there were still practices I didn’t know or was performing without fully understanding the purpose. I had professors with practical experience in the field, and that was crucial. They helped us see that Occupational Health Nursing goes far beyond exams and screenings. For example, I had never heard of risk assessments. I knew people were exposed to noise and had to wear ear protectors, but I didn’t understand what decibel levels were harmful to health. It was an enriching experience, and I highly recommend the training to anyone working in the field. I was recently at Católica for a conference where I had the opportunity to share my experience with many undergraduate students. I sincerely congratulate Católica because very few institutions address this field of nursing, which has a major impact on communities.

 

It’s a field that requires constant updating…

Yes, it’s a constantly evolving field, with new regulations, emerging risks, and different realities arising. We must stay alert to legal changes, new approaches to disease prevention, and population behavior. What worked five years ago may no longer make sense today. That dynamism also keeps me motivated.

 

Being a nurse in an industrial setting means being out in the field.

Yes, I’m a nurse who wears a vest and steel-toed boots (laughs). My workplace is the factory—among dust, chemicals, and noise. It’s essential to be on-site and within the real working context of employees because that’s where we ensure that personal protective equipment (PPE) is being used. Being close to people is essential for raising awareness about the importance of protecting themselves and taking care of their health and that of those around them. For example, only by being in the field can we understand why someone might not be using a specific PPE. It might not be due to carelessness but perhaps discomfort. It’s important to explain the consequences of that choice. For instance, not using ear protectors today may lead to hearing loss or even deafness in the future. Often, employees aren’t aware of these issues. We also conduct visits to every employee’s workstation. If someone returns from medical leave with physical limitations and their workstation isn’t suitable, we need to assess the conditions and adapt them to their new physical reality.

 

“It’s the act of caring that calls for me.”

 

What was it like transitioning from hospital nurse to industrial nurse?

It was a big challenge, and that’s why I needed more training. In the hospital, I administered IV medication, treated wounds, and focused on curative care. There was no continuity, as patients were admitted and then discharged, without us receiving any feedback. Here, we have employees with us every day, and we provide continuous care, tracking their progress. It’s rewarding to witness that journey. Another important aspect is the broader impact our work can have outside the factory. When we conduct awareness campaigns and screenings, we aim to ensure that the message doesn’t just reach the individual, but also their families. We want everything we do here to make a difference out there.

 

More than 20 years ago, you decided to become a nurse. What motivated you to choose this profession? Probably without even imagining you would end up in Occupational Health Nursing…

Never (laughs). It never crossed my mind that I’d end up in this field. What drew me to nursing was the desire to care for. As a child, I cared for my grandparents. My grandfather was diabetic, had several strokes, and became bedridden. I always cared for him. Later, when I returned to the north after many years in Lisbon, it was to care for my grandmother. It’s the act of caring that calls for me.