Introduction: The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is the place intended for the treatment of newborns, premature or full-term, who need specialized assistance due to clinical conditions. Objective: To identify the role of nurses in neonatal care during hospitalization in the NICU. Methodology: Scoping review based on the assumptions of the Joanna Briggs Institute review method. The guiding question was: "What scientific evidence shows the care practices for newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit? Searches were conducted in five national and international databases, on papers published until December 2022. Of the 5,803 studies found, 302 were selected for reading in full, resulting in a final sample of 08 studies analyzed. Results: The 08 publications analyzed were published from 2018 to 2023 nationally and internationally. Based on the title and abstract, 80 studies were evaluated and 18 studies followed by eligibility for full-text reading step. As for the type of study they were clinical trials, systematic review and scientific articles. This procedure was chosen for allowing the synthesis and analysis of the scientific knowledge already produced on nursing care in intensive care units for premature infants, highlighting some procedures that the health team should undertake, specifically on the care of premature infants in their recovery, due to their fragility and need for individualized care, since their hospitalization period will last months and the process is slow, therefore the importance of the recovery of this newborn extends to the family, where we will have even more success in reducing mortality. Conclusion: The nurse has a crucial role in caring for the newborn during hospitalization in the NICU, being able to approach and assist in building the maternal-infant bond. For this, good care practices are needed during birth, encouraging the approximation between mother and NB immediately after delivery, in skin-to-skin contact (kangaroo method).
