The neonatal homecare nurse (NNHCN) role delivers care in the home to infants and their families that have been discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit. The autonomous role with its expanding areas of nursing care, require that the NNHCN is at the forefront of knowledge advancement to ensure appropriate care is given to this population. This research project inquires into the life-world of the NNHCN experiences to gain knowledge of a specialised nursing role that leads care in partnership with the parents in their home.

Phenomenology as a methodology has been utilised to inform the research project to gain a deeper insight into the world of the NNHCN. This view allows dimensions of my nursing practice to be uncovered to show how and why I practice in the way I do. The theme of worry, and how it situates me to care and acquire knowledge, helps profile my nursing within the complex and dynamic world of the families I care for. The theme of active listening has also been identified and analysed to illustrate the development in my communication style needed to culturally and competently care and act on my concerns.

This project increases the body of nursing knowledge around a small and isolated area of nursing that has evolved to meet the needs of an increasing preterm population, sick infants and their families. Recommendations are based on the findings and may help in succession planning and recruitment profiling.