OBJECTIVE: New strategies for interprofessional collaboration are needed to achieve best practice in the care of ventilated newborns. This study explores what physicians and nurses believe to be important to improve collaboration during ventilator treatment. METHODS: Qualitative data collected from one focus group were analysed using Gittell's theory of relational coordination. RESULTS: To optimise communication about and coordination of ventilator treatment, six strategies were needed: (1) a pathway toward the goal for each newborn, (2) regular meetings, (3) accurate communication following an established pattern in the rounds conference, (4) collaboration to improve interprofessional level of knowledge, (5) courage to communicate one's own point of view, and (6) flexible responsibility in extubation situations. CONCLUSION: By identifying weak areas in collaboration, nurses and physicians were inspired to suggest and discuss concrete improvements of work practices in the neonatal intensive care unit. Nurses and physicians can coordinate ventilator treatment by using a pathway and at the same time enhance nurses' involvement and responsibility in order to increase the flexibility of job boundaries, allowing the professions to cover for each other's work.