Integrated Nursing Care: vital issues important in the humane care of the newborn

Neonatal nurses are in a unique and powerful position to influence the lives of infants and families. The essence of the profession of nursing is an obligation to care. The art and science of caring demands individualization and flexibility in judgment and decision-making. Nursing is a process of facilitation that involves mutual interactive communication toward an individual, family, community, or system and is directed toward further development. When the nurse's relationship is one of mutuality with the family there is a synchronous process of the nurse supporting the family in supporting the infant's emerging development. The neurobehaviourally supportive approach is one that is individualized and therefore the plan of care for each infant must be thoroughly designed. This humane and integrated approach to care ensures families' competence and confidence in their readiness for the infant's discharge from the intensive care nursery.