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Opportunities for improvement of neonatal nurse practitioner education: Complex care and pediatric advanced life
Tracey Bell1, Desi M Newberry2
1Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America.
Insights
Neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) need more training in complex infant and toddler care and resuscitation. Current NNP curricula often lack essential skills for advanced pediatric care, impacting patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Nursing
- Pediatric Healthcare Education
- Quality Improvement Projects
Background:
- Neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) scope of practice extends to age two, yet curricula often neglect complex care for infants and toddlers.
- Resuscitation skills beyond the delivery room are frequently not adequately covered in NNP programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- Assess NNP interest and educational needs in complex infant/toddler care up to age two.
- Evaluate the inclusion of Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) in NNP curricula.
Main Methods:
- Two surveys were administered to practicing NNPs.
- The first survey focused on educational needs for complex care.
- The second survey assessed resuscitation training coverage (NRP and PALS).
Main Results:
- 99% of 69 respondents identified a need for enhanced NNP education in complex care.
- 84% of 37 respondents reported their programs require NRP certification.
- Only 14% of programs require Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.
Conclusions:
- NNPs require improved education in age-appropriate resuscitation and complex care for neonatal patients transitioning into toddlerhood.
- Enhanced NNP training will improve patient and family outcomes and allow practitioners to work at the full scope of their license.
Background:
The scope of practice for the neonatal nurse practitioner is to provide care for patients from birth up to age two. Specific areas often not adequately addressed in the NNP curriculum include complex care of infants and toddlers up to age 2 and resuscitation outside the delivery room.
Purpose:
This quality improvement project aimed to assess NNP interest and curriculum needs related to complex care of infants and toddlers up to two years, and the current state of NRP and PALS inclusion in NNP curriculum. The first survey was intended to assess the need for and interest in additional education on complex care of the infant and toddler up to two years of age. The second survey was intended to assess if NNP education addresses pediatric as well as neonatal resuscitation.
Results:
Sixty-nine practicing NNPs responded to the first survey and 99 % identified a need for more education in the NNP programs on complex care. The second survey had 37 responses with 84 % requiring students to have neonatal resuscitation program provider status while 14 % require pediatric acute life support certification.
Conclusion:
As the age for viability decreases with increased survival, the NNP will be responsible for caring for infants in the hospital for longer periods of time. Additionally, more infants will require post- discharge care for complex medical needs. Improving NNP education on age-appropriate resuscitation and complex care for neonatal patients as they age will improve patient and family outcomes and allow the NNP to practice to the full scope of their license.
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