Nurses’ experiences in the care of high-risk newborns: a phenomenological study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe nurses’ experience in the care of high-risk newborns. Method: This is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, based on Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenology and performed at the Fernando Magalhães Maternity Hospital in the state of Rio de Janeiro, through interviews with 30 nurses who work in neonatal care, according to the phenomenological thinking of Maurice Merleau- Ponty. Results: Three categories emerged: “experienced body of the nurse practitioner on the high-risk newborn”; “experienced world of the nurse practitioner on the high-risk newborn”; and “time spent by the nurse practitioner with the high-risk newborn”. Final considerations: The study allowed us to describe, through the participants’ speeches, that the care of the high-risk newborn is broad, that is, objective, subjective and carried out with advanced technologies, their experiences and scientific improvement are composed of shared practice and theory with the family, professionals and beginners in the neonatal universe, favoring a differentiated and humanized care.