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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

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Published on: August 25, 2014

Inside the NICU Parents' Lived Experience From a Qualitative Study.

Giulia Ottonello¹, Silvia Rossi, Denise Ruaro

¹Author Affiliations: Health Professionals Direction, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, GE, Italy (Mrs Ruaro, Mrs Ferreri, Ms Artuso, Mrs Serveli, Ms Scelsi, Dr Ottonello, and Dr Rossi).

Advances in Neonatal Care : Official Journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses

|January 21, 2026

Summary

Parental experiences in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) reveal emotional challenges and a desire for greater involvement. Nursing interventions should focus on clear communication and support for all parents, including fathers, to improve infant care outcomes.

Keywords:

family-centered care infant, neonatal intensive care units, neonatal parental participation qualitative research

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Area of Science:

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) care
Parental engagement in healthcare
Family-centered nursing interventions

Background:

Hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) profoundly impacts families.
Parental involvement in infant care is linked to improved outcomes, yet effective engagement strategies remain a challenge.
Understanding parental needs throughout the NICU admission and discharge continuum is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

To examine the experiences of parents during infant hospitalization in a Level III NICU in Italy.
To inform the development of nursing-led improvements in family education and engagement within the NICU setting.

Main Methods:

A qualitative exploratory study utilizing a structured booklet for parents to record experiences.
Data collected from Italian-speaking parents whose infants were hospitalized for at least 72 hours.
Thematic analysis guided by Braun and Clarke's approach, adhering to SRQR guidelines.

Main Results:

Parents reported initial "shock" upon entering the NICU environment.
Emotional experiences ranged widely, from happiness to fear, with frequent misunderstandings regarding infant care information.
Parents expressed a strong desire for physical closeness and active caregiving, highlighting the need to better involve fathers who faced participation barriers.

Conclusions:

Nursing interventions must be family-centered, responsive to diverse needs, and support progressive parental involvement.
NICU nurses are pivotal in fostering trust, delivering clear communication, and preparing families for discharge.
Further research is needed to evaluate strategies that reduce parental stress, enhance understanding, and empower active participation in infant care.