The aim of these groups is to develop and provide a national network for neonatal healthcare professionals with a particular interest and focus to promote best practice and optimal care for neonates and their families.
Join one, or more, of our SIGs and feed into national projects, learn, share, network and collaborate.
All working toward optimising the neonatal experience for babies and families.
Neonatal Nurses Association
9 Riverside Walk, Dartford, Kent, DA1 5TN
EMAIL: [email protected]
Registered Charity in England & Wales number 295696. We also operate in Northern Ireland.
Dräger is incredibly proud to support the NNA by sponsoring the NNA Shared Learning & Best Practice in Neonatal Care Scholarship.
Dräger is an international leader in the fields of medical and safety technology.
Visit the Dräger website:: https://www.draeger.com/en_uk/Home
The Kate Farrer Foundation was established in memory of Dr Kate Farrer, a distinguished neonatal consultant at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and Transport Lead for the East of England. Sadly, Kate died in 2014 following a short illness. Her family set up a foundation in her name & have funded the Kate Farrer Scholarship since 2021.
Visit the Kate Farrer Foundation website: http://www.katefarrer.org/
The NNA is a member of the Council of International Neonatal Nurses (COINN) who we collaborate and partner with closely. COINN is a global organization that represents nurses who specialize in the care of newborn infants and their families. As a COINN partner, the NNA and its members are part of an international community and voice of neonatal nurses across the world. NNA members are automatically joined to COINN membership and can be a valued and integral part of this global voice.
Visit COINN: https://www.coinnurses.org/
Armstrong Medical is the proud sponsor of the NNA Team of the Year Award. Now part of Eakin Healthcare, the company supports neonatal teams across the world, working closely to understand the challenges and pressures faced. The company join the NNA praising Neonatal teams for their inspirational work as they deliver care to the tiniest and most vulnerable patients.
Armstrong Medical provide options for heated resus, invasive and non-invasive ventilation. NeoFlow® is a complete range of critical and supportive respiratory solutions, designed to give neonates the best possible start in life, from their very first breath.
Visit the Armstrong Medical website:
https://www.armstrongmedical.net/care-areas/neonatal-critical-care/
vCreate Diaries is a secure video messaging service providing reassurance to parents in NICUs. The vCreate team is working with us on awareness campaigns, communications and video projects to support families during their neonatal journeys.
Visit the vCreate website:: www.vcreate.tv/diaries
Recording
Coming soon
Coming soon
Coming soon
To achieve a role in network governance, you will be required to hold a position as a senior neonatal nurse and have an interest in wider governance issues within neonatal services. You will also have a responsibility for completing reports that highlight learning throughout the network and demonstrate learning to national bodies.
Nursing voice
Hello, I’m Robyn Smart – I work for the South West Neonatal ODN as a Senior Lead Nurse.
My role has grown over the course of my seven years in post. One of the joys of working as part of a network is it’s ever evolving and changing in shape. I am proud and feel a sense of privilege to work in this role, particularly as we are able to adapt and support the wider needs of neonatal services within our region.
My career has been exciting and I’ve been grateful to have been inspired from an early stage by committed and passionate senior nurses. I’m thankful for the opportunities that have presented themselves to me and enjoyed a variety of different development activities. My clinical background has been in tertiary neonatal services in a busy city, working my way from a newly qualified Band 5 to a Band 7 Neonatal Sister.
I’m grateful to work as part of a network that values and demonstrates appreciation for the whole neonatal pathway journey that a family might embark on, and enjoy exploring the different strengths within the units that we support.
I have completed a number of different leadership programmes, enjoyed advancing my communication though the use of coaching and mentoring. All of which have supported my confidence when working in such a varied role.
As a nurse within the network – I have a number of responsibilities, Workforce planning and development, Network Governance, Team support and leadership. I am good at holding lots of information in my head, and making connections with various work streams, which supports continuity of projects across the region, as well as strengthens the fruitfulness of the regional work we engage in.
Governance is a significant role of Neonatal Networks – we work collaboratively with neonatal services to provide oversight of the neonatal pathway, though the use of data and regional process. We work hard to ensure that neonatal services are working in alignment with the National Neonatal Service Specification, and are close stakeholders of NHS England, both regionally and nationally. We note trends and themes across a range of different processes. Some of which include, Incidents, Risk, Exceptions, Workforce, Operational Escalation, Guidelines and Policies and Sharing learning and disseminating good practice.
It’s a hugely varied role, with lots of different interesting elements. My strategic perspective and ability to think outside the box allows me to explore neonatal governance in a different way, with a strong focus on compassionate leadership.
Building connections and relationships has always been what I’m pulled towards. While I enjoyed clinical nursing, my passion has always been for listening and understanding more about families to help improve neonatal services, and supporting staff to maximise their professional potential.
If you’re interested in learning from experience, feedback and listening to what’s worked well…and what hasn’t worked so well sometimes, then regional governance might be an interesting place for you.
The education lead on a neonatal unit is responsible for leading the education team, including coordinating training and assessing/monitoring staff performance. In order to be appointed in this role, you will need experience as a clinical educator, as well as strong leadership and communication skills. You will also need to have demonstrated an interest in training and education.
Resources
NNA LEaRN Group – https://nna.org.uk/special-interest-groups/linking-education-research-in-neonatal-care/
The governance role requires nurses to have a strong understanding of patient safety, risks on the unit and how to minimise errors. Governance nurses often use incident reporting and incident management systems to reduce risk on the unit and to address concerns.
The role requires nurses to link with other specialities when divisional opportunities arise to allow learning to be shared across all areas of neonatal care. Governance nurses work closely with neonatal educators to support patient safety training and ensure the provision of high-quality care that poses minimal risk to patients.
Nursing voice
I’m Lora Alexander, one of the Quality Improvement coaches in a busy Level 3 NICU. QI is all about understanding problems, thinking of solutions, implementing ideas and analysing the results.
I started in QI by working on a national improvement project, through which I received training in QI; Fundamentals of Improvement, Improvement in Practice and then QI Coaching. It’s a great field to explore. Neonatology is a young speciality, and it’s always changing and developing. QI allows us to make these changes safely, in a way that can be duplicated if it works, and easily changed if it doesn’t. QI gathers the multi-disciplinary team together for one purpose. It takes a whole team, from the most junior to the most senior. Everyone’s voice is valued in QI. It’s wonderful to see the passion and dedication nurses have to improve care for mothers and babies.
Anyone can and should be involved in QI. It’s a challenge some days, and a mental shift from a success – failure mindset. QI is all about learning what works and what doesn’t. There’s no failure, just information gathered to plan the next PDSA cycle. But it’s going to be increasingly important for the nurses of the future, so begin now.
The Clinical Educator will develop and deliver educational programs (including mandatory training), support clinical practice improvements, and promote evidence-based care for babies. They will mentor new staff and liaise with multidisciplinary teams to optimise neonatal care quality and safety. They may also work closely with the student nurses and ensure familiarity with equipment and national guidance.
Nursing voice
Network educators play an important role in shaping MDT education within neonatal networks. The role requires nurses to consider and respond to local and national education drivers. Network educators are also required to nurture a supportive educational environment to ensure staff learn and develop the skills required to deliver safe, evidence-based care to premature babies and their families.
Network educators may be required to both create and deliver training programmes that support professional development of nurses, AHPs and medical staff, as well as non-registered clinical workforce.
Nursing Voice
Hello, my name is Kim Edwards, and I am a Neonatal Nurse. I am currently the Lead Nurse and Workforce, Education Lead for the Thames Valley and Wessex Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (ODN)
I am an adult trained nurse and I moved into the specialty of neonates from a background in adult and paediatric intensive care. After completing the Neonatal Intensive Care Course in 1991 I have had various roles and responsibilities within neonatal nursing including leadership and managerial as a Senior Sister in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and in education.
However, it was my interest and Lead Practice Educator role that led me into a Network Education role where I developed and implemented a Foundation Education Programme for new nurses to the specialty.
During this time, I undertook a master’s degree in professional health sciences at Southampton University which has provided me with skills, knowledge and confidence for my current role as Lead Nurse when writing proposals, business cases, understanding and interpreting data and using all available evidence to support neonatal nursing and services.
The Education Team Lead will oversee the work & direction of the educator team. They work toward staff competency, compliance with national requirements and lead on performance management.
Nursing voice
A HEI Educationalist designs and delivers specialised education for student nurses. They will deliver the Childrens’ and Young People nursing course, that includes neonatal nursing. They integrate clinical practices and academic research to enhance skills and knowledge. They deliver a programme of education using multiple methods and evaluate and update curricula to reflect current best practice. They will have expertise in the subject area and support students to complete their education.
Nursing voice
My name is Dr. Julia Petty, and I am a nurse lecturer specialising in children’s nursing with a particular interest in neonatal care. My nursing career in paediatric and neonatal clinical nursing practice began after a BSc Hons degree in Psychology at Warwick University, when I moved to Great Ormond Street Hospital, London. Here, I trained in children’s and adult nursing before working there for many years in children’s and neonatal surgical care. I then gained my neonatal nursing qualification at St George’s NHS Trust London and worked at the Whittington NHS Trust NICU before moving back to Great Ormond Street for a senior education role on NICU where I worked until 2001. I then worked as Senior Lecturer at City University, London for 12 years leading the neonatal nursing education portfolio. I studied for a MSc, a PGCE and MA in academic practice during this time, In 2013, I moved to the University of Hertfordshire where my role is Associate Professor (learning and teaching) and Senior lecturer child nursing. I teach on the BSc Hons nursing and master’s degree programmes including leadership of modules, face-to-face/online teaching, assessing and supervision of students at all levels up to doctorate level. I am also research active and have completed a Doctorate in Education. As a nurse, educator and post-doctorate researcher, my interests focus on parents’ premature birth experiences, supporting parents in the transition home from NICU, exploring communication needs of neonates and their carers and studying the educational value of digital storytelling. This combination and variety of roles enriches my working life and brings together my experience as a child / neonatal nurse, educator and researcher. My role and related activities enable me to engage in both education and research while supporting students on their nursing career and education pathway, which is a privilege to be part of.
The Network Director maintains overall leadership responsibility for the network. The role is open to clinical and non-clinical staff but it is likely you will be required to complete a Master’s degree.
Network structures vary around the country, but many employ a Deputy Director or a Senior Lead Nurse. This role acts as a line manager to the wider network team, including QIS nurses, Care Coordinators, AHPs and Education team.
As a senior lead nurse, you would be required to support and manage each team as they navigate their work programme. The role also includes responsibility for leading region-wide projects and linking regional teams with wide regional and national initiatives.
Before you can apply for this role, you will need to gain extensive experience across a number of neonatal nursing roles including management, education, advanced clinical practice. You would also benefit from experience within a network role and being involved in national groups, which provides experience outside of your neonatal unit.
Nursing voice
Hello, I’m Robyn Smart – I work for the South West Neonatal ODN as a Senior Lead Nurse.
My role has grown over the course of my seven years in post. One of the joys of working as part of a network is it’s ever evolving and changing in shape. I am proud and feel a sense of privilege to work in this role, particularly as we are able to adapt and support the wider needs of neonatal services within our region.
My career has been exciting and I’ve been grateful to have been inspired from an early stage by committed and passionate senior nurses. I’m thankful for the opportunities that have presented themselves to me and enjoyed a variety of different development activities. My clinical background has been in tertiary neonatal services in a busy city, working my way from a newly qualified Band 5 to a Band 7 Neonatal Sister.
I’m grateful to work as part of a network that values and demonstrates appreciation for the whole neonatal pathway journey that a family might embark on, and enjoy exploring the different strengths within the units that we support.
I have completed a number of different leadership programmes, enjoyed advancing my communication though the use of coaching and mentoring. All of which have supported my confidence when working in such a varied role.
As a nurse within the network – I have a number of responsibilities, Workforce planning and development, Network Governance, Team support and leadership. I am good at holding lots of information in my head, and making connections with various work streams, which supports continuity of projects across the region, as well as strengthens the fruitfulness of the regional work we engage in.
Governance is a significant role of Neonatal Networks – we work collaboratively with neonatal services to provide oversight of the neonatal pathway, though the use of data and regional process. We work hard to ensure that neonatal services are working in alignment with the National Neonatal Service Specification, and are close stakeholders of NHS England, both regionally and nationally. We note trends and themes across a range of different processes. Some of which include, Incidents, Risk, Exceptions, Workforce, Operational Escalation, Guidelines and Policies and Sharing learning and disseminating good practice.
It’s a hugely varied role, with lots of different interesting elements. My strategic perspective and ability to think outside the box allows me to explore neonatal governance in a different way, with a strong focus on compassionate leadership.
Building connections and relationships has always been what I’m pulled towards. While I enjoyed clinical nursing, my passion has always been for listening and understanding more about families to help improve neonatal services, and supporting staff to maximise their professional potential.
If you’re interested in learning from experience, feedback and listening to what’s worked well…and what hasn’t worked so well sometimes, then regional governance might be an interesting place for you.
The Lead Nurse role at network level provides an interface between what is happening locally in units, specialised commissioning and nationally. The Lead Nurse at network level represents and advocates for neonatal nurses and the wider multidisciplinary workforce.
Nursing voice
Hello my name is Claire Richards and I’m the Lead Nurse for the Wales Maternity and Neonatal Strategic Network. This covers nursing leadership but also Neonatal transport. I also have a clinical honorary contract in one Health Board.
27 years of my nursing career has been dedicated to neonates although I qualified as an adult trained nurse. As a result of obtaining my Foundation in neonatal care, Qualified in Speciality, a Degree in Professional Practice and being successful in my career progression, I have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge and skills to be in a senior leadership position. I have worked for the Network since its inception, leading in the development and delivery of the transport service, prior to gaining the Lead nurse position.
My role links with many services such as the Neonatal transport Group (NTG), UK Network Lead Nurse group, Welsh Ambulance, EMRTS etc. This is aside of the regular engagement I have with the Leads in Welsh Units and neighbouring services.
I absolutely love my role as every day is different, bringing new challenges and is extremely rewarding.
—
Hello, my name is Kim Edwards, and I am a Neonatal Nurse. I am currently the Lead Nurse and Workforce, Education Lead for the Thames Valley and Wessex Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (ODN)
I am an adult trained nurse and I moved into the specialty of neonates from a background in adult and paediatric intensive care. After completing the Neonatal Intensive Care Course in 1991 I have had various roles and responsibilities within neonatal nursing including leadership and managerial as a Senior Sister in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and in education.
However, it was my interest and Lead Practice Educator role that led me into a Network Education role where I developed and implemented a Foundation Education Programme for new nurses to the specialty.
During this time, I undertook a master’s degree in professional health sciences at Southampton University which has provided me with skills, knowledge and confidence for my current role as Lead Nurse. In writing proposals, business cases, understanding and interpreting data and using all available evidence to support neonatal nursing and services.
The Lead Nurse role at Network level is pivotal as it provides an interface between what is happening in the units, specialised commissioning and NHS England, where I represent and advocate as the voice of neonatal nursing and the wider multidisciplinary team workforce.
What I enjoy about my role is that I can influence what happens in neonatal nursing and have a much wider impact by using all my knowledge and experience from many years as a clinical neonatal nurse and now within a senior neonatal nurse leadership role.
Neonatal nursing has always been a privilege.
A Chief Nurse is another core role that underpins the visions and goals of a Trust. As a Chief Nurse, you would be responsible for clinical and professional leadership of nurses and other allied health professionals to deliver demonstrable progress in line with a Trust’s values and aims.
A Chief Nurse is responsible for the experience of patients and families within the Trust’s care, and will work closely with the Chief Medical Officer to ensure the highest standards of patient safety and clinical are.
Nursing voice
The Head of Nursing is a vital member of the senior leadership team. In this core role, you would take responsibility for all aspects of clinical nursing practice. This includes ensuring neonatal nurses within your team have the skills, confidence and knowledge to deliver high quality care.
A Head of Nursing is also responsible for leading neonatal nurses across services to ensure they have the resources they need and are meeting the standards of care required.
Responsibilities include managing nursing staff, ensuring adherence to clinical and national guidelines, and maintaining high standards of patient care and safety. They will review and develop services and care provision.
Nursing voice
Lynn Slade – University Hospitals Derby and Burton
A matron oversees the care of neonates. They manage nursing staff, ensure high standards of clinical practice, coordinate with medical teams, support families, and implement policies. Their role focuses on quality care, staff training, and resource management to ensure optimal neonatal health outcomes.
Nursing voice
Hello, my name is Jean and I am a registered children’s nurse with 27 years experience. I qualified with a DipHE after struggling academically due to dyslexia. Over my career I have worked mainly in PICU, NICU and children’s cardiac critical care. I am dual qualified in speciality (QIS) for both Neonatal and Paediatrics. The QIS program is a post graduate modular course completed at level 6/7. To be considered QIS you must successfully complete 4 separate modules, each have an academic and practical component. Only on completion of the QIS course can you apply for a band 6 role. In addition to the above qualifications it is expected you would have several years proven experience in speciality at Band 6 and 7 prior to applying for a Matron’s role.
I see the role of Matron as a bridge between services, departments, teams and individuals. I really enjoy being able to see middle ground and find new solutions to complex situations. I pride myself on ensuring the family’s interests remain at the heart of any decisions we make as a team. The role can be challenging, and at times frustrating but also extremely rewarding.
Resources
The NNA offers access to a Managers and Matrons Group.
A neonatal ward manager oversees the care of babies born premature or sick. They manage staff, coordinate with the wider professional team, ensure compliance with regulations, monitor benchmarking and performance, and provide guidance to the team.
Resources
The NNA offers access to a Managers and Matrons Group.
A Shift Coordinator is responsible for supporting the daily activities on the Neonatal Unit. This role is in place to given nurses and medical staff access to clinical expertise and advice to ensure optimal care for babies and families on the unit.
Shift Coordinators work closely with the multidisciplinary team in assessment planning and delivery of care, providing an enhanced level of care for those staying on the unit. Nurses who take on this role are also required to identify and contribute to development opportunities within the unit on an ongoing basis. The role also required coordinators to organise and coordinate workloads on each shift.
To be considered for this role, discuss with senior members of the MDT team and your line manager. You should also choose a particular area of interest that you would be interested in developing within your unit, both on a day-to-day basis and as part of a project.
A Neonatal Nurse Consultant is an advanced practice nurse. They provide expert clinical care, lead neonatal nursing practices, develop services and ensure high standards of care.
Nursing voice
The Senior ANNP role will likely include line managing ANNPs and trainee ANNPs, as well as covering clinical shifts supporting the consultant and junior medical team on the neonatal unit, delivery suite and the postnatal ward.
Senior ANNPs will also sit on working groups and attend strategic meetings to ensure the highest quality of care for all babies and families.
Nursing voice
Hi, I’m Adele Farrow and I am the Lead ANNP on a level 2 neonatal unit.
My role includes line managing the other ANNPs and trainee ANNPs on the unit, as well as covering clinical shifts where I support the consultant and junior medical team on the neonatal unit, delivery suite and the postnatal ward. I also sit on a number of working parties and attend strategic meetings to ensure we continue to provide the highest quality of care to all our patients. I am currently leading the development of the transitional care unit, working closely with midwifery and neonatal colleagues to decrease separation of families.
I completed by Childrens’ Nursing degree back in 2005 and then started working on a tertiary neonatal unit. I knew neonates was where I wanted to work so I then completed my QIS course and got promotion to Band 6. I observed some fantastic ANNPs in practice and decided that would be my career path. I completed my ANNP course in 2013 in Southampton and then completed my Masters Dissertation in 2016. I then enjoyed a period of consolidating my practice on a tertiary unit and later as a Transport ANNP on a regional transport team.
I enjoy simulation and resuscitation training so also instruct on NLS and ARNI courses. I have also completed a scholarship through the NNA which I thoroughly enjoyed, and this gave me real insight into possible improvements with the neonatal setting and gave me new aspirations for my future.
Last summer I applied for my current job as a Lead ANNP. I can honestly say I feel incredibly lucky to have my dream job and love coming to work. I particularly enjoy the multi-professional working, especially working as part of an established perinatal team. I don’t think I will ever get bored of attending deliveries and supporting babies on their transition to independence as well as using my extended clinical skills. I also enjoy the managerial aspects of my role, developing the service both locally and on a national level.
Resources
The NNA offers access to an ANNP Group . Members of the NNA can access the back catalogue of recorded ANNP Group meetings and webinars, each with a focus on one of the 4 pillars of advanced practice. View recorded events.
The role of the Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (ANNP) is defined by the four pillars of advanced practice: clinical practice, leadership, education, and research. ANNPs provide advanced clinical care, lead and mentor within the neonatal unit, educate & support healthcare staff and families, and engage in research to improve neonatal outcomes. ANNPs develop and implement care plans, contribute to policy development, and lead quality improvement initiatives, ensuring evidence-based, ethical, and high-quality neonatal care.
Nursing voice
Resources:
The NNA offers access to the NNA ANNP Group.
Members of the NNA can access the back catalogue of recorded ANNP Group meetings and webinars, each with a focus on one of the 4 pillars of advanced practice. View recorded events.
Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Capabilities Framework: A BAPM Framework for Practice – ANNP_Capability_framework_-_for_publication_10-5-21.docx.pdf (hubble-live-assets.s3.amazonaws.com)
Jonathan O’Keefe, an ANNP based in Sussex, has given permission for us to feature this film about advanced practice here.
The trainee advanced neonatal nurse practitioner role is an extension and enhancement of the skills acquired as a senior staff nurse in neonatal care. The position encompasses academic work and practical training, necessitating university attendance, completion of relevant assignments and advanced practice competencies with supervision from the medical team. The role involves working with the whole multidisciplinary team, providing support to peers and independently developing skills. These skills include conducting assessments and formulating clinical management plans tailored to the needs of the infants and their families, aiming to gain autonomy within the role.
[Source: Wesell El Hag, Trainee ANNP)
Nursing voice
Resources
The NNA offers access to the NNA ANNP Group. Members of the NNA can access the back catalogue of recorded ANNP Group meetings and webinars, each with a focus on one of the 4 pillars of advanced practice. View recorded events.
The Enhanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (ENNP) provides care for newborns with complex health needs. ENNPs perform clinical assessments, diagnose conditions, develop treatment plans, and manage care. Their role integrates enhanced nursing practice, education, and leadership, ensuring high-quality neonatal care and supporting family-centered approaches.
Nursing voice
A Neonatal Transport Nurse will:
– Undertake the transfer of critically unwell babies, working closely with other members of the transport team
– Undertake palliative care transfers for babies and families
– Undertake nurse-delivered transfers independently, with remote support from the medical tier
Fundamental to this is:
– Supporting parents during stressful transitions between hospitals
– Supporting referring staff who are involved with the stabilisation of babies prior to transfer
– Teaching and supporting members of the transport team
– Working on audit and service development/QI projects within the transport service
– Day to day elements of this role include:
– Checking transport equipment to make sure it is ready for use
– Maintaining familiarity with all transport equipment to ensure continued expertise
– Planning and prioritising transfers
Nursing voice
Resources
The NNA offers access to an Neonatal Transport Special Interest Group. Members of the NNA can access the back catalogue of recorded Neonatal Transport SIG meetings and webinars. View recorded events
There is also the Neonatal Transport Group – NTG webpage
A neonatal outreach nurse supports families on their transition from the post natal ward, neonatal unit or transitional care service to home. They support families in the community with:
– babies who were born prematurely
– being discharged home at a low weight
– going home on low flow oxygen
– supporting early discharge home part tube feeding to establish full oral feeds at home- offering home phototherapy support to prevent readmission to hospital
– palliative or end of life care at home
Nursing voice
Resources
Blog by Jo Bennett – Family Support on the Neonatal Unit and after Discharge – Neonatal Nurses Association (NNA)
The NNA will soon launch a Neonatal Outreach Special Interest Group. To register interest in this group, please email us.
Transitional Care (TC) is care additional to normal infant care, provided in a postnatal clinical environment by the mother or other resident carer, supported by appropriately trained healthcare professionals, including neonatal nurses.
If you work on TC you will gain exposure to:
– babies requiring feeding support
– jaundiced babies on phototherapy and requiring frequent blood tests
– stable babies born between 34 weeks to 35+6 weeks gestation
– significant neonatal abstinence syndrome
– babies requiring medication
Resources
You can view recorded webinars about Transitional Care in the Members Area of the NNA website.
You can watch a recorded webinar about Transitional Care in the context of Wales here.
The NNA will shortly launch a Transitional Care Special Interest Group. For more information, please email us.
CPD examples:
East of England ODN Neonatal Transitional Care Programme
Edinburgh Napier short course ‘Transitional and Special Neonatal Care‘
‘Working with families to transition from neonatal units to home’ e-learning for health module
A newly qualified nurse will have completed their undergraduate degree and secured a role as a neonatal nurse.
There will likely be an induction programme designed by the ODN Neonatal Clinical Educators to support newly qualified nurses.
An induction programme might include topics such as:
Basic Clinical Observations and Assessment of the Neonate – Aim: To be able to complete a full and comprehensive assessment of the neonate.
Nutrition and Fluids – Aim: To provide adequate and appropriate nutrition using skills and knowledge to encourage healthy growth.
Infection Control – Aim: To provide a healthy and safe environment and take steps to prevent and treat neonatal sepsis.
Skin Integrity – Aim: To maintain healthy skin integrity
Jaundice – Aim: To identify jaundice and treat accordingly.
Medicines Management – Aim: Can administer medications safely and competently.
Family Integrated Care – Aim: The nurse is able to provide Family Integrated Care.
Recognising the deterioration of the neonate – Aim: The nurse is able to recognise when an infant is deteriorating and initiate resuscitation.
Pain management and assessment – Aim: The nurse understands how to assess and manage infant pain.
Admission, Discharge and Screening – Aim: To provide holistic care from Admission to Discharge.
Professional Conduct, Communication and Documentation – Aim: To work in accordance with the NMC standards and maintain professional accountability.
Thank you to the Network Educators of the Yorkshire & Humber Neonatal ODN for generously sharing this example induction programme content with us, with permission to share here.
Neonatal ODNs will each offer a programme of educational support. For example, the Yorkshire & Humber Neonatal ODN, offer a Foundation Programme for newly qualified nurses, and those new to neonates, once they’ve completed their induction.
The NNA offers online and in-person learning events & opportunities, as well as Special Interest Groups, scholarships and access to the Journal of Neonatal Nursing.
Nursing voice
Resources
The NNA has a number of Special Interest Groups hosting regular meetings to share learning, experiences and encourage collaboration. You can join one or more of our Special Interest Groups.
You can access NNA recorded events including ‘Turning your dissertation into a publication’ and ‘Interview Skills’ via the NNA website.
Read this blog about the Neonatal Foundation Programme by Nicola Hunt – Neonatal Nurses Association (NNA).
An infant feeding lead supports feeding practices for newborns, ensuring optimal nutrition. They provide guidance on breastfeeding, expressing, bottle-feeding, and managing feeding difficulties. They work closely with the wider healthcare team, educate parents & colleagues, and implement policies to improve feeding outcomes for preterm and sick babies.
Nursing voice
Neonatal Infant Feeding Coordinator
Hi, I am Amanda and work as the Neonatal Infant Feeding Coordinator for a NICU and a SCBU within one service. While the role is not standardised, many neonatal units now have dedicated posts.
I trained as a child branch nurse but knew I wanted to work within the neonatal unit as a student. Upon qualification, I worked within neonatal units and the paediatric community but I always had an interest in infant feeding. I transferred my community skills into neonatal care and gained my Qualification in Speciality.
I worked in a dedicated lead post on a neonatal unit and within the community. I am now back to working in a dedicated role for infant feeding and supporting the units through our Neonatal BFI journey.
As well as my nursing training and ensuring I was up to date with my mandatory infant feeding training in post, I also trained as a volunteer breastfeeding peer supporter and provided support in my community. I became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Since, I have undertaken BFI’s train the trainer course, which supports me in delivering education to colleagues, and developed my skills to carry out audits and embed the neonatal standards.
I work closely with our allied healthcare professionals. I would not be without them, as we learn so much from one another and are able to support families and babies from so many angles. If not combined into one role, posts like mine will also find that they work very closely and synergistically with their Family Integrated Care (FICare) and Developmental Care leads.
This is my dream job, and I love supporting families and my colleagues. Seeing a colleague deliver support to parents that they learned on a teaching update and the pride in a mother’s face when she collects a drop of colostrum for her preterm or sick baby are experiences I never tire of.
Resources
Lactation After Loss: Choices for Bereaved Parents – Online Course – FutureLearn
Neonatal bereavement and palliaitve care nurses provide support, and practical guidance to parents and families facing or experiencing the loss of their baby or babies. They provide compassionate care and facilitate memory-making and parental choice at a difficult time. They also deliver education and implement policies and guidelines to support their colleagues.
Nursing voice
Resources
Blogs: Developing Bereavement Support by Jo Bennett – Neonatal Nurses Association (NNA)
Establishing a Bereavement Care Team by Maddie and Elle (St Michael’s Hospital, UHBW) – Neonatal Nurses Association (NNA)
The National Neonatal Palliative Care Project
Loss of a Baby in Multiple Pregnancy: Supporting Grieving Parents – FutureLearn
Lactation After Loss: Choices for Bereaved Parents – Online Course – FutureLearn
Developmental care involves providing individualised care to support preterm or sick babies’ neurodevelopment, minimise stress, and promote bonding with parents.
Resources
CPD examples:
– Sensory Beginnings – Neonatal Nurse Course
– FINE training – family and infant neurodevelopmental education
– NBO training – newborn behavioural observations
A neonatal nursing associate supports registered nurses in providing care to babies and families. They assist with feeding and monitoring vital signs.
As a pre-registration student undertaking a children’s nursing programme, you will hopefully get an opportunity to gain a practice placement on a neonatal unit that offers an opportunity to work within special care, high dependency and intensive levels of care, under the supervision of practice staff. Some Universities accommodate all their students to ensure this neonatal-specific experience happens, while for others, you might need to arrange this experience as an ‘elective’ placement. The latter would also apply to a student on an adult nursing programme.
Placements on a neonatal unit vary between on average 6 to 12 weeks depending on your year of study and whether students have supernumerary status. Student midwives also undertake varying lengths of time on a neonatal unit to gain clinical exposure to babies requiring special care.
Resources
To find out more about neonatal placements as a student, view our NNA webinar -‘Making the most of the neonatal placement‘.
The NNA has a number of Special Interest Groups hosting regular meetings to share learning, experiences and encourage collaboration. You can join one or more of our Special Interest Groups and gain access to the Journal of Neonatal Nursing by becoming a member of the NNA.
As a pre-registration nurse, you can join the NNA for free.
You can access NNA recorded events including ‘Turning your dissertation into a publication’ and ‘Interview Skills’ via the NNA website.”
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