Emergency Management of the Newborn (SNM630)

Who is it for?

This unit is for neonatal nurses who have a degree or post graduate certificate in neonatal intensive care nursing and who have been working continuously within the context of neonatal intensive care since qualifying as a neonatal nurse.

What is it about?

This unit will afford practitioners the opportunity to analyse and enhance their existing knowledge and skills in emergency management at birth to enable them to provide safe evidence based care at birth and during the subsequent care of the neonates and their families within the context of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

All of the content is supported by 10 study days with timetabled events such as lectures, seminars and discussions with experts who currently practice within the context of neonatal intensive care.
The unit will be assessed by means of a written assessment in which they will use a case history to identify and analyse issues related to the care of a baby who they have cared for in the neonatal unit. They will demonstrate enhanced knowledge and understanding of the issues which will require critical engagement with an extensive range of relevant research and evidence-based practice leading to evidence of critical reflection and application to practice.

Practice will be assessed by the development of a portfolio of practice which provides evidence of enhanced knowledge and skills and reflections on their progress in partnership with a practice mentor.

How does it enhance practice?

The successful completion of this unit will enhance their skills of communication with the Multi disciplinary team in the intensive care setting to deliver integrated care for babies who require emergency management at birth. It will produce neonatal nurses who are able to operate effectively within the dynamic environment of care where they are able to care for and actively advocate for the babies and their families and for themselves and others within the MDT. Also to enhance their existing knowledge of the legal and ethical domains of practice to evaluate how their knowledge and skills can be extended within the scope of practice.