Using a Trauma Informed Approach to Share Lessons Learned During My Transition from NICU Professional to NICU Parent (201)

Abstract Text: Parenting in the NICU is anything but normal. Parents struggle to bond with and care for their new baby in a foreign, invasive, and often traumatic environment. Neonatal nurses are uniquely positioned to foster resilience in parents and potentially mitigate the traumatic experience that often accompanies a NICU admission. Drawing from experiences in my personal and professional journey, this presentation will focus on how the healthcare team can develop relational awareness skills and subsequently improve the quality of relationships we build with our families. Specifically, this presentation will discuss the following: 1. awareness of the relational environment and communication skills, 2. implications and impact of power dynamics, and 3. The importance of parent/caregiver presence. This presentation will use a trauma informed approach to explore the ways the healthcare team can empower families in the NICU to advocate for their child(ren) and collaborate with the multidisciplinary team. This presentation will discuss how to implement specific actions such as active, empathetic listening, how to avoid toxic positivity, and how to cultivate space for the authentic emotions of NICU families.

Needs Assessment and Presentation Description: Centering the experiences of the family is paramount to building collaborative, empowering relationships in the NICU. Cultivating resiliency in NICU families is primarily facilitated by the neonatal nursing team. Through sharing my personal experience transitioning from NICU professional to NICU parent, this presentation will discuss ways in which NICU nurses can be a safe haven for families to thrive. Learning from the experiences of NICU families allows us to grow professionally, hold ourselves to a higher standard, and help our patients and their families start life from a place of acceptance, grace, and hope.