Objective: to learn how parents experience the discharge of the child hospitalized in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Method: a descriptive-exploratory study with qualitative approach, conducted with nine parents, from August to October 2011, through an interview at home from the snowball sample technique. Data were analyzed using content analysis. The research project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee, Opinion on 148.2011.2. Results: three categories emerged: << Feelings in the

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... d hospitalization in the NICU >>; << Child care after hospital discharge >> and << Importance of the healthcare team for parents of newborns in the NICU >> Conclusion: the hospital discharge is an expected moment by parents and a period of stress, anxiety and insecurity. During this period, the guidelines/nursing care are relevant, since they prepare parents for the child's care at home.