**Abstract**

The development of nursing theory improves nursing practice and consequently the health of those who receive nursing care. This chapter aims to describe the process of adaptation of the quality-caring model to hospitalized school-aged children and their parents. A mixed methods study in four phases was outlined. The study integrated a literature review (phase 1); the application of surveys to hospitalized children and their parents (phase 2); a Delphi panel with nurses as experts (phase 3); and the adaptation of the quality-caring model (phase 4). Participants included hospitalized children (n = 252), their parents (n = 251), and nurses (round 1 n = 47; round 2 n = 42). National Data Protection Commission provided authorization for the study as well as the ethics committee from six health institutions where the study was applied. Findings allowed the identification of key aspects valued by children, parents, and nurses, such as information, family involvement, play, distraction, and communication. The adapted model integrates fundamental aspects of children's hospitalization and is focused on satisfaction with care as an outcome of nursing care.

**Keywords:** child, hospitalization, patient satisfaction, pediatric nursing, family centred care
