Individualized Developmental Care Practices of Nurses Working in Neonatal Intensive Care Units: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to identify and compare neonatal intensive care nurses who received training in individualized developmental care practices with nurses who did not. Material and Methods: This study was conducted with a qualitative design in the third-level neonatal intensive care units of two tertiary hospitals. Seven nurses from each hospital participated in the study. A semi-structured interview form was used. The interviews were recorded with a voice recorder and then transferred to a computer. Content analysis was used to analyze the interview data. Results: Seven themes, 14 sub-themes, and 78 codes were created for the nurses who received training, and 7 themes, 13 sub-themes, and 30 codes were created for the nurses who did not receive training. Since the themes of the two groups were common, the results of the two groups were compared and discussed. Conclusion: It was found that nurses who received training in individualized developmental care approached the newborn and family more holistically, planned, implemented, and evaluated their care more comprehensively than the nurses who did not receive training.