The parental role in the hospital: view of a group of specialist pediatric nurses

Abstract

Objective Know how Nurses Specialists in Child and Pediatric Health (NSCPH´s) see their care within the scope of the parental role in the hospital context. Methods This was a descriptive study of a qualitative nature that used a focus group, with an intentional sample of 11 specialists working in a university hospital center in the northern region of Portugal in 2022. The data was collected, organized, analyzed for content, and grouped into categories, serving as a basis for the construction of a clinical nursing path within the scope of the parental role. Results Four categories emerged from the data collected: the parental role in the hospital; conditions for a care partnership; the parental role and children’s needs, and training to care. The structure of diagnoses and interventions relating to these categories brought together a consensus among 100% of the nurses in the sample. Conclusion The presence of parents during hospitalization is important. An effective care partnership between parents and nurses is necessary, minimizing the negative impact of hospitalization on children and promoting parental autonomy in care. The systematization of information through a flowchart facilitates the care and standardization of nursing records.