Historical Trends in Neonatal Nursing

The focus of neonatal nursing has shifted from a highly technical approach to one of supportive interventions and a more individualized developmental approach. Developmental care is described as a philosophy of care that requires rethinking the relationships between infants, families, and healthcare professionals. Various models of developmental care exist; however, they all include a variety of activities designed to manage the environment and individualize the care provided to premature and/or sick infants.