Newborn competences and transition to parenthood: knowledge and practices of a group of Portuguese nurses after touchpoints training

It is undeniable the association between nursing training and quality of care, skills development and the ability to apply scientific knowledge in the nursing care context. The Touchpoints model emphasizes the individual developmental characteristics and the influence of relationship-based and family-centered care. Thus, Touchpoints model represents an useful tool for quality nurse practice during the transition to parenthood. This work aims to explore nurses’ knowledge and care practices with newborns and their parents after training in Touchpoints. We contacted via e-mail all nurses with training obtained in the first six Touchpoints courses of Portugal (n=23). Fifteen nurses agreed to participate in this study. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted (in person or via Skype) based on a script developed by the research team. All interviews were audio recorded and later verbatim transcribed. The content was then analyzed using a semi-inductive approach supported by software the Nvivo. From the analysis of the interviews resulted three main categories (Parents-bBaby Relations,Pparents-NurseRrelations and Neonatal Period). Data are presented and discussed taking into account the purpose of the study, revealing nurses’ knowledge about newborn characteristics and professional practice with newborns and their families in transition to parenthood. Principles of Touchpoints model are evident in diverse categories. The study highlights the importance of nurses’ role working with families in the neonatal period and the pertinence of Touchpoints principles for the quality of their practices.