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The neonatal nurses' view of their role in emotional support of parents and its complexities

Author

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  • Melanie Turner
  • Anna Chur‐Hansen
  • Helen Winefield

Abstract

Aims and objectives To explore the nurses' views of their role both in the neonatal intensive care unit and in the provision of interacting with, and emotionally supporting, families. Background The neonatal intensive care nurse has a large and complex clinical role and also a role of emotional supporter for parents in the neonatal intensive care unit. Identifying components of their role and recognising the elements within the nursery that obstruct or encourage this role can allow for modification of nurse education and peer support. Design Qualitative study based on semistructured interviews. Methods Nine neonatal nurses from a single neonatal intensive care unit were interviewed and the data analysed thematically using nvivo version 10. Results Participants viewed their role as an enjoyable yet difficult one, requiring seniority, training and experience. They provided support to parents by communicating, listening, providing individualised support and by encouraging parental involvement with their baby. Constructive elements that contributed to the provision of support included a positive neonatal intensive care unit environment and providing a parent support group. More obstructive elements were a lack of physical neonatal intensive care unit space, little time available for nurse‐to‐parent conversation and language and cultural barriers between nurses and parents. Conclusion The role of the neonatal nurse in providing emotional support is complex and requires a high level of ongoing support and education for staff, and minimisation of physical and staff‐related obstructions. Relevance to clinical practice The modern neonatal intensive care unit offers complex medical and nursing services and with this care comes higher needs from both babies and their parents. Neonatal intensive care unit nurses should be supported in their roles by having peer support available in the neonatal intensive care unit and education and training in emotional support and counselling skills. The nursing staff also require a comfortable and practical physical working space in which to assist parents to be with their baby.

Suggested Citation

  • Melanie Turner & Anna Chur‐Hansen & Helen Winefield, 2014. "The neonatal nurses' view of their role in emotional support of parents and its complexities," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(21-22), pages 3156-3165, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:jocnur:v:23:y:2014:i:21-22:p:3156-3165
    DOI: 10.1111/jocn.12558
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    Cited by:

    1. Nina Margrethe Kynoe & Drude Fugelseth & Ingrid Hanssen, 2020. "When a common language is missing: Nurse–mother communication in the NICU. A qualitative study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(13-14), pages 2221-2230, July.
    2. Anne Brødsgaard & Jette Thise Pedersen & Palle Larsen & Janne Weis, 2019. "Parents' and nurses' experiences of partnership in neonatal intensive care units: A qualitative review and meta‐synthesis," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(17-18), pages 3117-3139, September.
    3. Hannah Skelton & Hannah G. Dahlen & Kim Psaila & Virginia Schmied, 2019. "Facilitating closeness between babies with congenital abnormalities and their parents in the NICU: A qualitative study of neonatal nurses' experiences," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(15-16), pages 2979-2989, August.
    4. Julia Petty & Joy Jarvis & Rebecca Thomas, 2019. "Understanding parents’ emotional experiences for neonatal education: A narrative, interpretive approach," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(9-10), pages 1911-1924, May.

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