Jisun Park1, Ji-Soo Kim2. 1. Department of Nursing, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 2. College of Nursing, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: kimjisoo@gachon.ac.kr.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine factors that influence developmental care practice among neonatal intensive care unit nurses. DESIGN AND METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire. Data were collected from 141 neonatal intensive care unit nurses from 6 hospitals in South Korea. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine factors influencing developmental care practice. RESULTS: This study found that professional efficacy had the largest influence on developmental care practice, followed by perception of developmental care and a task-oriented organizational culture. Clinical and educational experience regarding developmental care and working environment was not associated with developmental care practice among NICU nurses. CONCLUSIONS: To enhance nurses' practice of developmental care, enhancement of nurses' individual competency, positive perception of developmental care, and organizational efforts are required. A practical training program should be provided to nurses to promote confidence in implementing developmental care for preterm infants. IMPLICATIONS: A trained nurse should provide staff nurses with useful information on developmental care to encourage them to have a positive attitude towards developmental care. The nurse manager should create an organizational culture in which nurses perceive developmental care to be an essential nursing task in their unit.
PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine factors that influence developmental care practice among neonatal intensive care unit nurses. DESIGN AND METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire. Data were collected from 141 neonatal intensive care unit nurses from 6 hospitals in South Korea. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine factors influencing developmental care practice. RESULTS: This study found that professional efficacy had the largest influence on developmental care practice, followed by perception of developmental care and a task-oriented organizational culture. Clinical and educational experience regarding developmental care and working environment was not associated with developmental care practice among NICU nurses. CONCLUSIONS: To enhance nurses' practice of developmental care, enhancement of nurses' individual competency, positive perception of developmental care, and organizational efforts are required. A practical training program should be provided to nurses to promote confidence in implementing developmental care for preterm infants. IMPLICATIONS: A trained nurse should provide staff nurses with useful information on developmental care to encourage them to have a positive attitude towards developmental care. The nurse manager should create an organizational culture in which nurses perceive developmental care to be an essential nursing task in their unit.