Women's evaluations of their labor and delivery nurses.
OBJECTIVE
To document women's evaluations of their labor and delivery nurses.


METHODS
An exploratory, qualitative study using open-ended, intensive, tape-recorded interviews.


METHODS
Postpartum unit of a 400-bed midwestern hospital, except for two interviews in the women's homes.


METHODS
Sixty-one Lamaze-prepared, married, multigravidae, aged 21-37 years.


RESULTS
Ninety percent of the women evaluated their nurses favorably, 10% unfavorably. Nurses were evaluated favorably because of their positive participation (80%), acceptance (78%), information giving (75%), encouragement (65%), presence (53%), and competence (7%).


CONCLUSIONS
Although technical competence is important, manner, provision of supportive care, and acceptance of each woman as a unique human being may be a nurse's most important characteristics.
Mackey
M C
MC
University of South Carolina College of Nursing, Columbia 29208.
Stepans
M E
ME
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009773:Obstetric Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D010298:Parity; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy