Neonatal ethical decision making: where does the NNP fit in?

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Nursing
• Bioethics
• Healthcare Education

Background:

• Neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) regularly encounter complex ethical dilemmas within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
• Novice NNPs often struggle with their involvement in critical ethical decision-making processes.
• Understanding the historical context of ethical decision-making is crucial for addressing contemporary challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the ethical challenges faced by novice NNPs in the NICU.
• To explore educational strategies for enhancing NNPs' ethical decision-making skills.
• To promote collaborative ethical decision-making in neonatal care.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on historical ethical decision-making.
• Analysis of challenges faced by novice NNPs.
• Examination of educational interventions for skill development.

Main Results:

• Novice NNPs require specific support to navigate ethical complexities.
• Educational strategies can effectively build collaborative ethical decision-making capacity.
• Interprofessional collaboration is key to resolving ethical issues in the NICU.

Conclusions:

• Targeted educational programs are essential for equipping NNPs with ethical decision-making competencies.
• Further research is recommended to refine and evaluate these educational strategies.
• Enhancing NNPs' ethical participation improves patient care and family support in the NICU.