Objective: to analyze the psychic exhaustion experienced by nursing workers in nuclear medicine services.
Method: a qualitative study that used the methodological assumptions of Psychodynamics of Work. The study was 12 nursing workers from two nuclear medicine services. For data analysis and treatment, Collective Subject Discourse was used with help of the software QualiQuantSoft®.
Results: the psychic exhaustion experienced by nursing workers originates mainly from work organization, conditions and relationships, and can compromise the quality of care provided and workers' quality of life. Psychic exhaustion is manifested by stress, tiredness and apathy in activities performed outside the work environment.
Final considerations: individuals who work also live socially, so psychic health maintenance will impact on work activity. The service should include workers in the organization and offer spaces for dialogue and collective support.