"Each family has a story:" lived experiences of NICU families from staff perspectives.

OBJECTIVE

Most Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) literature focuses on parent perspectives, overlooking how staff perceive and respond to family needs. We examined NICU staff perceptions to understand family experiences through a relational and systemic lens.

DESIGN

We conducted five focus groups (N = 22) with multidisciplinary staff and used an inductive-deductive approach to identify themes.

RESULTS

Staff emphasized that families have both unique journeys and common experiences. Staff described how sociocultural barriers, trauma histories, and the reproductive/NICU journey shape family stress. Common stressors include multiple traumas, grief and guilt, and ongoing uncertainty. Although coping strategies are influenced by family values/goals and prior experiences, staff commonly observed emotion-driven behaviors, involvement in care, and less self-care. Staff also noted that the NICU can disrupt family dynamics and communication, yet existing relationship dynamics shape family impact.

CONCLUSION

Staff perspectives provide additional context for understanding family experiences and highlight the need for tailored family-centered care.