Nursing procedure: a dimension of the communication with the newborn

Abstract

This article approaches the perceptions of the nursing staff about the procedure’s role in communicating with the newborn. Such theme was identified in a qualitative, exploratory/descriptive study developed with the nursing staff of the neonatal unit of an University Hospital in Porto Alegre/RS. The article explores the procedure’s implications to the caregiver and methodological aspects of the study. It approaches the caregiver’s perceptions about the communication that is due to skin stimuli; the feelings involved in performing the procedure; the relation between the inflicted pain and communication; as well as the opportunity to teach and learn through the procedure.