M.Cur. / It is a well known fact that the environment plays an important rol in the development of the individual. In an intensive care unit, a child is exposed to an enormous amount of stimuli that is confusing and frightening and also has no meaning for the child. The experience of a child in an intensive care unit, upon whom major procedures are performed, is observed. The purpose of this study is to examine and describe the intensive care experience of children between the ages of 3 and 12 so that guidelines for the nursing of these children can be provided. This is a qualitative study and the phenomenological method of research was used. Interviews were conducted with the help of three photographs. These were shown to the respondents and they were asked to tell a story about the child in the photo. Fieldnotes were taken immediately after each interview to describe the situation and the researchers impressions. A taperecording was made of each interview and was transcribed verbatim. The transcriptions were analised and conclusions were reached. Guidelines can thus be drawn up for the nursing of a child in an intensive care unit.