RESUMO
This study aimed to enhance nursing practice in developmental care for preterm infants. A participatory action research (PAR) model was used as a catalyst for changing nursing practice. Participants were 30 neonatal nurses working in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at a university hospital in Bangkok. Data was collected using multiple methods. The findings revealed that enhancing nursing practice in developmental care for preterm infants was an empowering process which covered three components: nurses, administrators and the health care team and hospital policy. The nurses’ component comprised six strategies: 1) the provision of knowledge and practice skills; 2) the provision of opportunities for sharing knowledge and experiences; 3) the encouraging of self-directed learning; 4) the provision of opportunities for creative innovations; 5) motivation; and 6) the encouraging of regular developmental care practice. The outcomes of the process of enhancing nursing practice in developmental care could be categorized into two themes: 1) positive changes of nurses and 2) innovation. The knowledge gained from this study will provide guidance for future nursing research into ways of enhancing nursing practice, and thereby improve developmental care for preterm infants.