This module is the third of four modules for nurses and other registered healthcare professionals working in the neonatal unit that will enable the practitioner to be recognised as qualified in speciality (QIS). The delivery of neonatal care to the high dependency infant is dependent both on the clinical skills of the practitioner and the development and maintenance of therapeutic relationships with the parents and the multi-disciplinary team through the use of appropriate communication and interpersonal skills. The module content will be system and assessment led and will address recognition of the deteriorating neonate and appropriate management strategies. 

Aims

This module will enhance students’ ability to recognise the deteriorating neonate using a systems approach. It will develop the specialist skills needed to deliver high dependency care and understanding of the impact of high dependency neonatal care on the infant and family. 

What and how you will learn on this module

How you will learn

This module is delivered using a blended learning approach which integrates a variety of on-campus and online activities, supported by Canvas, the University’s virtual learning environment. A complementary range of activities are employed to engage you in the critical exploration of key topic areas, and the completion of formative tasks during the module also helps to keep you on track with the learning and gain feedback on your understanding of the content. A sense of community is developed and maintained with frequent opportunities for peer learning, enabling you to share your practice experiences and to learn from each other. 

Academic writing and critical thinking skills are developed through ‘The Critical Thinking Skills Toolkit’ and other academic practice activities embedded within the module, that have been designed to nurture the skills needed to facilitate you to become a thoughtful, objective and reasoned thinker. This will help you tackle the assignment(s) confidently, understand marking criteria, use evidence, take a reasoned approach, make structured arguments and engage with other points of view. 

What you will learn

Ventilation

• Non-invasive respiratory strategies/developments and associated nursing care

   o    CPAP

   o    High Flow Nasal Cannula

• Tracheostomy

Nursing management of related pathophysiology of infants requiring High Dependency Care

• Multisystem assessment skills

• Interpretation of neonatal x-rays

• Blood gases and interpretation

• Respiratory physio and chest care

• Central Venous Catheters

• Patent ductus arteriosus

• Congenital Heart Disease

• Total parenteral nutrition and Central Lines

• Necrotising Enterocolitis

• Stomas and Stoma Care

• Neural Tube Defects

• Hydrocephalus

• Birth Injuries

• Pain assessment and management in HDU

Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics Family-Centred Care

• Parental / Family needs, support and services

Ethical/Professional perspectives and decision-making

Stress In the Neonatal Unit- Developing coping strategies and accessing support

Academic practice

• Database searching

• Evidence-based practice

• Referencing and avoiding plagiarism

• Critical Thinking Skills Toolkit

Course length: 5 Teaching Days

Assessment

Reflective essay (2000 words) and Competency assessment document (CAD)