Breaking bad news: Comparing the perception of the role, barriers and experiences of neonatal intensive care and well-baby nursery nurses

Nurses accompany patients throughout the breaking bad news process. The aim of the research was to compare neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses and well-baby nursery (WBN) nurses on their role, barriers and experiences in breaking bad news to parents/relatives during hospitalization. A cross-sectional comparative study. Two medical centres in Israel were employed. A 39-item questionnaire was distributed with 140 nurses participating in the study. STROBE Checklist was used. A total of 140 nurses participated in this study. There was no significant overall difference (p ≤ .45) between NICU and WBN nurses in their perception of their role in breaking bad news. Differences were found in barriers to the role which included a lack of information, lack of time and communication issues. No differences were found in the nurses' experiences in breaking bad news. NICU and WBN nurses reported that they received no support (n = 40, 58.8%; n = 45, 64.3%, respectively). No breaking bad news specialty team existed in either unit (NICU: n = 64, 91.4%; n = 60, 87.0%). Nurses in the WBN and NICU are involved in breaking bad news. The role of the nurse has not been fully acknowledged making it difficult to perform. Nurses' experiences in breaking bad news were varied. Nurses facing challenges should be provided guidance and support. This needs to be implemented. The role played by nurses in breaking bad news has not been fully acknowledged making it difficult to perform. Nurses need to receive formal training and support in order to improve this practice.