Dark and Bright—Two Sides of Family-Centered Care in the NICU: A Qualitative Study

Nurses in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) have an important role in implementing family-centered care (FCC). The aim of the study was to explore the lived experiences of NICU nurses on implementing FCC. An interpretative phenomenological study was conducted and 11 employed nurses were interviewed from April 2015 to February 2016. The data were analyzed through the Diekelmann, Allen, and Tanner approach. Four main themes of “strain to achieve stability,” “bewildered by taking multiple roles,” “accepting the family,” and “reaching bright horizon” were extracted. This study provided deeper understanding about nurses’ perceptions of FCC implementation. In Muslim developing countries, FCC implementation is challenging and nurses are under extra pressure because of a shortage in nursing workforce; however, having positive experiences with family participation and valuing theism beliefs allowed them to support family involvement. Support of nurses to take FCC strategies in the NICU is needed by officials overseeing the health care system.