Collects comprehensive data including, but not limited to, physical, functional, psychosocial, developmental, emotional, mental, sexual, cultural, age-related, environmental, spiritual/transpersonal, and economic assessments in a systematic and ongoing process while honoring the uniqueness of the infant and the family.

Elicits the family’s values, preferences, expressed needs, and knowledge of the healthcare situation.

Involves the parents of the infant, family/support system, other healthcare providers, and environment, as appropriate, in holistic data collection.

Identifies barriers (psychosocial, financial, cultural, etc.) to effective communication and makes appropriate adaptations.

Recognizes the impact of personal attitudes, values, and beliefs when assessing infants and their families with diverse backgrounds or situations.

Assesses family dynamics and their impact on the infant’s health and wellness.

Prioritizes data collection activities based on the infant’s immediate condition or on the anticipated developmental and health needs of the infant.

Uses appropriate evidence-based assessment techniques and instruments and tools.

Synthesizes available data, information, and knowledge relevant to the situation to identify patterns and variances.

Documents relevant data in a retrievable format.

Applies ethical, legal, and privacy guidelines and policies to the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of data and information.

Recognizes the parents as the authority on their infant’s health and honors their role as surrogate decision-makers in regard to the care of the infant.

Initiates and interprets diagnostic tests and procedures relevant to the infant’s current status.

Assesses the effect of interactions among individuals, family, community, and social systems on health, illness, and development.

Involves the parents, and if the parents desire, the extended family, significant others, and other healthcare providers to formulate expected outcomes whenever possible and appropriate.

Uses culturally appropriate strategies to identify expected outcomes for each infant and family unit.

Considers associated risks, benefits, costs, current scientific evidence, expected trajectory for the infant/child, family structure and expectations, and clinical resources when formulating expected outcomes.

Defines expected outcomes in terms of the infant, family values, ethical considerations, environment, or situation in respect to associated risks, benefits, costs, and current scientific evidence.

Includes a time estimate for the attainment of expected outcomes.

Develops expected outcomes that provide direction for continuity of care, both during the acute hospitalization and as the infant transitions back into the community.

Modifies expected outcomes based on changes in the status of the infant or evaluation of the situation.

Documents expected outcomes as measurable goals.

Identifies expected outcomes that incorporate scientific evidence and are achievable through implementation of evidence-based practices.

Identifies expected outcomes that incorporate cost and clinical effectiveness, family satisfaction, and continuity and consistency of care among providers.

Differentiates outcomes that require process interventions at the infant or family level from those that require system-level interventions.

Uses appropriate physiologic, developmental, and social data and diagnoses to develop an individualized plan of care for the infant.

Develops a plan that is individualized to the infant and family, including, but not limited to, the family’s values, beliefs, spiritual and health practices, preferences, choices, coping style, family developmental level, culture, environment, and available technology.

Develops the plan in partnership with the family and other healthcare providers whenever appropriate.

Includes strategies in the plan of care that address each identified diagnosis or issue and promote or restore health; prevent illness, injury, and disease; alleviate suffering; and provide supportive and/or palliative care when needed.

Ensures that the plan is a continuous and dynamic process that addresses the needs of the infant and incorporates an implementation pathway or timeline.

Develops a plan that incorporates the family in caregiving and reflects priorities of the family, the infant, and the healthcare team.

Utilizes the plan to provide direction to other members of the healthcare team.

Defines the plan to reflect current statutes, rules and regulations, and practice standards.

Integrates current evidence-based practice, trends, and research in care planning.

Considers the economic impact of the plan on the family, caregivers, and other affected parties.

Documents the plan of care in a manner that uses standardized language and recognized terminology and is understood by all participants.

Includes strategies that optimize health, wholeness, growth, and development.

Organizes, integrates, and plans care with consideration for the infant’s stage of development.

Provides a safe atmosphere for the nurse and family to explore traditional, potential, and alternative options for care.

Modifies the plan based on ongoing assessment of the infant’s response and other outcome indicators.

Identifies assessment strategies, diagnostic strategies, and therapeutic and developmental interventions within the plan that reflect current evidence, including data, research, literature, and expert clinical knowledge.

Selects or designs strategies to meet the multifaceted needs of special-care infants and their families as complex healthcare consumers.

Includes the synthesis of family or caregiver values and beliefs regarding nursing and medical therapies within the plan.

Leads the design and development of intraprofessional and interprofessional processes to address the situation or issue.

Actively participates in the development and continuous improvement of systems that support the planning process.