The Role of Nurses in Preparing Mothers of Premature Infants for Discharge and Home Care

More than 1 in 10 infants worldwide are born each year prematurely. Premature infants are at risk in terms of mortality and morbidity. Premature infants typically need special and intensive care in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Similarly, mothers need training provided by nurses for discharge and home care. Following the discharge from the NICU, mothers often become primary caregivers who will provide 24-h care. Essential nursing activities are to consider the needs of mothers of premature infants, to make the necessary preparations before discharge, to ensure the transition from the NICU to home in a comprehensive, coordinated, and conscious manner, and to monitor of maternal and infant health. Nurses can use nursing roles such as educator, caregiver, communicator, coordinator, researcher, manager, advocate, and consultant while providing this care to mothers of premature infants. This review article aims to provide nurses with a perspective on preparing the mothers of premature infants for discharge, transition to home, and home care. The study consists of four titles: The preparation of the mother of the premature infant for discharge and the role of the nurse, the preparation for the transition to home and the role of the nurse, the preparation for home care and the role of the nurse, and the methods that can be used in the preparation.