Exploring the Relationship Between NICU Nurses with Fathers

The purpose of this study was to explore the fathers' perceptions of their needs in the NICU. Using a qualitative, descriptive design, the researchers interviewed twenty-eight fathers who previously had a premature infant in the NICU. Data analysis was performed using the NVivo software. During analysis, the researchers discovered one of the most important needs of the fathers was the desire to have a relationship with the nurses. Five themes emerged along with four subthemes: need to be taught by nurses, need for professional and competent staff, need for nurses to care about the infant, need for consistent caregivers, and need for effective communicators.