The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an educational intervention using Swanson’s (1991) caring theory on (a) nurses’ knowledge and caring behavior to late preterm infants (LPIs) and their families, and (b) the incidence of LPIs’ hospital visits and readmission rates for hyperbilirubinemia and dehydration in the first 30 days of life. The study began with the initial testing of the two instruments used and there were no inconsistencies identified in the content being measured. A convenient sample of nursery and postpartum nurses was recruited from two hospitals within a healthcare system. The nurses completed the consents and the surveys online via Survey Monkey®. Instruments used in the survey included a demographic, knowledge, and caring questionnaires. The participants’ inclusion criteria were nurses who have: a) completed at least one year experience working with well newborns, b) attended the educational intervention, and c) completed tests at the three intervals. SPSS for Windows (version 21) was used to analyze data using statistical techniques and ANOVA repeated measures. Study findings support improved knowledge for all participants; however, there was decreased retention of knowledge noted one month later. There was a 37% increase in knowledge from the baseline mean scores to the posttest mean scores (52% to 89%), although there was a 20% knowledge decrease from the posttest to one month later (89%- 69%). There remained a true knowledge gain since knowledge increased between the baseline measurements to the 1-month follow-up assessment (52% to 69%). Infant outcomes related to hyperbilirubinemia and dehydration also demonstrated patterns of improvement in the direction of statistical significance. The study added to the body of nursing science regarding educational intervention as a tool in increasing nurses’ knowledge. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Background: Adolescents are more likely to be dissatisfied with perinatal care than adults. Adolescents’ perspectives of their perinatal care experiences have been explored; however, there are few studies exploring adolescent-friendly inpatient care from nurses’ perspectives. Purpose: To explore adolescent-friendly care from the perspective of hospital-based adolescent-friendly perinatal nurses. Research Questions: (1) How and why do perinatal nurses in inpatient settings adapt their practice when caring for adolescents? (2) What are the individual nursing behaviours and organizational characteristics of adolescent-friendly care in inpatient perinatal settings, from the perspective of perinatal nurses? Methods: I report the qualitative component of a mixed methods study. Open-ended interviews were conducted with twenty-seven purposively-sampled expert nurses. Data were analyzed using Interpretive Description. Findings: Nurses described being mother-friendly to adolescents by being nonjudgmental, forming connections, individualizing care, and employing behavioural strategies that facilitate relationship-building. Implications: These findings will inform the development of interventions to facilitate connections between nurses and adolescent mothers.

SammanfattningBakgrund: Tidig separation i samband med födseln av ett för tidigt fött och svårt sjukt barn kan leda till att anknytningen mellan föräldrar och barn påverkas. För att ett barn ska få en god känslomässig och psykosocial utveckling behövs en trygg anknytning. Barnsjuksköterskan har i sitt ansvarsområde att arbeta främjande för att anknytningsprocessen ska bli så god som möjligt.Syfte: Beskriva barnsjuksköterskors erfarenheter av att stötta föräldrar i anknytningsprocessen efter att de separerats från sitt för tidigt födda eller sjuka nyfödda barn.Metod och tillvägagångssätt: En kvalitativ metod med en induktiv ansats tillämpades. Elva barnsjuksköterskor på fyra olika neonatalavdelningar i Mellansverige intervjuades och innehållet analyserades därefter enligt Graneheim och Lundmans innehållsanalys.Resultat: Det framkom att barnsjuksköterskorna främjade anknytning mellan förälder och barn genom att göra anpassningar i miljön för att möjliggöra närhet och hud mot hudkontakt. Barnsjuksköterskan lade vikt i arbetet på att ge föräldrar emotionellt stöd för att främja anknytningsprocessen. Resultatet presenterades i två huvudkategorier med tillhörande subkategorier: Betydelsen av att skapa förutsättningar för noll-separation (Arbeta för att främja fysisk närhet mellan förälder och barn efter tidig separation, Optimera miljön kring barnet för att öka chanserna att främja anknytning, Att ha tillräckligt med resurser) och Betydelsen av att stärka föräldrarna i deras föräldraroll (Ge föräldrarna emotionellt stöd, Stötta föräldrarna i att de är huvudansvariga för barnets omvårdnad).Slutsats: Det finns fysiska och emotionella hinder som kan påverka anknytningsprocessen mellan föräldrar och barn. Barnsjuksköterskan spelar en viktig roll i att ge föräldrar det stöd de behöver för att främja anknytningsprocessen. / SummaryBackground: Early separation in connection with the birth of a premature and seriously ill child can lead to the attachment between parents and children being affected. In order for a child to have a good emotional and psychosocial development, a secure attachment is needed. The pediatric nurse has in her area of responsibility to work to promote the attachment process to be as good as possible.Purpose: Describe pediatric nurses' experiences of supporting parents in the attachment process after they have been separated from their premature or sick newborn child.Method and approach: A qualitative method with an inductive approach. Eleven pediatric nurses at four different Neonatal wards in middle of Sweden were interviewed and the content was then analyzed according to Graneheim and Lundman's content analysis.Results: It emerged that the pediatric nurses promoted attachment between parent and child by making adjustments in the environment to promote closeness and skin to skin contact. The pediatric nurse placed emphasis in the work on giving parents emotional support to promote the attachment process. The results were presented in two main categories: The importance of creating the conditions for zero separation (Working to promote physical closeness between parent and child after early separation, Optimizing the environment around the child to increase the chances of promoting attachment, Having enough resources) and The importance of empowering parents in their parental role (Give the parents emotional support, Support the parents in being primarily responsible for the child's care). Conclusion: There are physical and emotional barriers that can affect the attachment process between parents and children. The pediatric nurse plays an important role in giving parents the support they need to promote the attachment process.