Selection of primary patients in a neonatal intensive care unit

The motives for the selection of primary patients in a neonatal intensive care unit were identified by 34 participants in a series of staff development programs on primary nursing. Motives were identified and ranked in order of importance. These included: (1) medical problems; (2) continuity of care; (3) impression of parents; (4) impression of the infant; (5) altruism; (6) nurses' self-esteem; and (7) impression of other staff. This paper considers the potential impact of these motives on the ability of the nurse to fulfill the expectations of primary nursing practice.