Neonatal Intensive Care Practice (NURS90102)

This subject provides students with the opportunity to integrate knowledge gained in the theoretical subjects with clinical practice in the neonatal intensive care setting. The subject provides a comprehensive approach to care of the neonatal patient through understanding principles of illness/health management relating to the newborn, infant and family.

The students develop skills of assessment and management principles which enable them to progress to a more advanced level of practice. Students are given the opportunity to plan and coordinate care for neonatal patients with a wide variety of problems. There is a continued emphasis on scientific principles and research evidence underpinning practice and further developing of skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, rational inquiry and self-directed learning to solve patient management problems in specialty practice. The practical component is in the form of a learning contract whereby students address learning objectives. Learning objectives focus on undertaking accurate assessment of the neonatal patient and relating the underlying physiological and pathophysiological processes to assessment data; applying theoretical knowledge to technical skill development; developing evidence-based evaluations to the practice of caring for patients in the neonatal intensive care unit and developing skills in sharing knowledge with peers.