Scope of the Problem
To be competent in acute care, nurses must possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to manage rapidly changing patient events.¹ Family presence (FP) is a recognized autonomous nursing intervention,² whereby nurses facilitate the attendance of family members during resuscitation or an invasive procedure in a patient care location that affords visual or physical contact with the patient. Family presence is an option guided by the patient- and family-centered care model. It is beneficial to patients and families³ and historically has not interfered with care.⁴ The COVID-19 pandemic dictated widespread visitation restrictions that banned families from acute care units, with their absence quickly becoming the norm.⁵⁻⁷ However, the COVID-19 public health emergency ended in May 2023. The pandemic-era FP guidance should not be considered the new standard of care. Family presence should be reestablished to reflect a culture of patient- and family-centered care and safety for all those in need of family support during vulnerable health events.