Walking conference for infants’ nursing

Abstract

 Purpose: To clarify what kind of working conferences nurses attend, which they build on to provide better nursing care for infants.

 Methods: Based on the ethnonursing research method by Leininger, participant observation and interviews were carried out at a pediatric ward. The study participants included seven nurses caring for infants and their families (main informants) as well as seven infants and their families, five nurses and two medical doctors (general informants).

 Results: From the study one major theme and four themes were extracted. That nurses: 1. discuss points that they noticed from the appearance of the child, come up with a necessary care approach through discussion and carry it out; 2. watch the child whose conditions have changed, touch and keep observing the child trying to grasp the change; 3. who know how to interact with and care for infants show others how to do so, and other nurses follow the way; and 4. ask the child about any signs that concern them, which they keep in mind when providing care.

 Discussion: Having a discussion at a child’s bedside made the nurses feel they were evaluating their work together and made them realize the value of their nursing care. The occasion also served as creating a foundation for a learning organization.