Nursing Diagnoses Identified During Parent Group Meetings in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

To identify nursing diagnoses in the reports of parents obtained during parent support group meetings in a neonatal intensive care unit. An explorative descriptive study using records obtained during 29 meetings over a period of 11 months with parents and family members. Six NANDA-approved nursing diagnoses were identified from parent group data: fear, risk for impaired parent/infant attachment, parental role conflict, risk for ineffective breastfeeding, impaired home maintenance, and risk for caregiver role strain. Diagnoses were not validated with parents. Support groups helped the parents express their thoughts and feelings and provided nurses with opportunities to identify nursing diagnoses and interventions. The identification of nursing diagnoses showed that nursing interventions that are focused on improved parent outcomes should be implemented for parents and other family members. Nursing care in neonatal units should focus on interventions for parents and other family members in addition to providing the necessary care of newborns.