Inside the NICU Parents' Lived Experience From a Qualitative Study

Hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a profound experience for families. While parental involvement in care is known to improve outcomes, challenges persist in effectively engaging parents and understanding their needs throughout the care continuum, from admission to discharge.

This study examined the experiences of parents during their infants' hospitalization in a Level III NICU in Italy to inform nursing-led improvements in family education and engagement.

A qualitative exploratory study was conducted as part of an action research project, following the Equator Network Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) guidelines. Italian-speaking parents whose infants were hospitalized for at least 72 hours were invited to record their experiences in a structured booklet. Data were analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke's approach.

Five themes emerged: the initial "shock" of entering the NICU environment; the emotional navigation that ranges from happiness to fear; misunderstandings about information on infant care; a strong desire to touch, hold, and care for their baby; and the need to better involve fathers, who often face barriers to presence and participation.

The findings highlight the importance of developing nursing interventions that are responsive to the family's needs, including both parents, and are designed to support progressive involvement in care. NICU nurses play a key role in building trust, providing clear and compassionate communication, and preparing families for discharge. Further nursing research should explore and evaluate strategies that reduce stress, enhance understanding, and empower all parents to participate actively in their infants' care.