Perceptions about the hospital environment from the perspective of high-risk puerperal women based on Florence Nightingale's theory

Abstract

to understand the perceptions of high-risk puerperal women about the hospital environment based on Florence Nightingale's theory. High-risk postpartum period is the period of time when post-partum women care for their babies in the neonatal ICU, and experience high stress levels. it is a qualitative study with narrative approach based on Florence Nightingale's theory, conducted at a public institution in southern Brazil, from January to March 2010. Seven mothers over 18 years with newborns admitted to the neonatal ICU were the research subjects. the contextualization of their narratives, the caring environment in which they experienced this particular stage in their lives, indicates that high-risk puerperal women seek ties and support. the challenge of spending an indefinite period of time in a strange environment, away from home, with their babies under the care of health professionals, while apart from their relatives, highlights the need for nursing care during this stage.