PURPOSE: To describe the views of a group of nurses about the competencies needed by registered nurses working in neonatal intensive care units. DESIGN AND METHODS: A descriptive study design with a qualitative approach. A total of six focus group interviews involving 21 registered nurses were conducted between October and November of 2023. The participants had work experience (average 14 years, range 3-36 years) of neonatal nursing in university hospitals and central hospitals in Finland. The data were analysed using inductive content analysis. RESULTS: The competence of registered nurses working in the neonatal intensive care units comprise of (1) competence in family-oriented care, (2) clinical competence, (3) advanced competence in nursing preterm infants, (4) competence in communication and health technology, and (5) professional growth in competence and collaboration. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: These findings highlight the complexity of nursing preterm and sick infants. They can be used to improve the education and orientation of neonatal nurses and therefore ensure safe and high-quality neonatal nursing. REPORTING METHOD: The COREQ-guidelines were adhered to in reporting the study.
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Talus et al. (2025) studied this question.
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