BSc Neonatal Care

About this course

Neonatal care is the specialist nursing and clinical discipline concerned with the care of newborn infants, particularly those who are premature, low birth weight, or born with health conditions requiring intensive or high-dependency support. Neonatal nurses and practitioners work in neonatal intensive care units and special care baby units, monitoring and treating some of the most vulnerable patients in healthcare. The work demands deep knowledge of neonatal physiology and pathology, highly developed clinical skills, and the emotional intelligence to support families through what is often a frightening and uncertain period. At Nottingham Trent, this programme is offered on a part-time basis, which is appropriate given that neonatal care education is most often undertaken by registered nurses and healthcare practitioners who are already working in clinical settings and wish to develop specialist knowledge and skills in neonatal practice. You will study neonatal anatomy, physiology and pathology, thermoregulation, respiratory care, neonatal nutrition, pharmacology, developmental care, family-centred practice and the ethical and legal dimensions of neonatal decision-making. The part-time format allows you to continue in clinical practice while building the academic understanding that supports advanced neonatal care. Graduates and programme completers work in neonatal intensive care units, special care baby units, transitional care settings and neonatal outreach services. Career progression within neonatal nursing and advanced neonatal practice is structured and well-supported, with roles including neonatal nurse practitioner, advanced neonatal nurse practitioner and clinical specialist. Many practitioners continue to further postgraduate education, leading to prescribing qualifications or consultant-level advanced practice. Neonatal care is a specialist field in which high clinical competence, academic preparation and continuing professional development are all expected.

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