CARING IN A NEONATAL INTENSIVE-CARE UNIT - PERSPECTIVES OF PROVIDERS AND CONSUMERS

Neonatal intensive care units have continually grown in number and com plexity in their short history. The care given to infants and families in these units is done, in large part, by nursing. This article discu sses the development of a scale that will explore the perceptions of t his care by both consumers and providers. The perceptions of each grou p will be compared to determine if care that is thought and intended t o be caring for providers is indeed perceived as such by consumers. Th is is of significant importance to the developing body of knowledge re lated to caring in nursing, and it will also promote care that is fami ly centered.