Abstract
Objective: to report the experiences of family members as companion of an inpatient in the Intensive Care Unit and to analyze its implications for nursing. Methods: descriptive work, with a qualitative approach. Data collection by interview using semi-structured script containing open questions and socioeconomic questionnaire. Sample composed of 20 relatives of patients admitted to the ICU of the João de Barros Barreto University Hospital, in Belém-Pará. Thematic content analysis was chosen for the elaboration of the units. Results: the profile of the majority of the family members of the study was female, single, catholic, between the age group of 20-30 years old with full secondary education and belonging mainly to the degree of natural kinship. We analyzed the results based on the repetition of terms and meanings in the speeches of the relatives. From the meanings came two categories for the study: Understanding ICU and emotional repercussions for family members and the family nucleus during hospitalization. Conclusion: understanding the wishes of the companion in a singular way and as a family component is to establish a professional attitude aiming at the integrality of the service.