It’s a privilege to care for a baby and family throughout their hospital journey.
It’s incredibly rewarding to make such a positive difference to a family, and our neonatal nurses are in the unique position to be able to help shape the development of the closeness a family has with their new-born baby. With our every action, we make an impact on the development of the baby and the family unit.
Our neonatal nurses
A neonatal nurse needs to be highly observant and flexible but most importantly compassionate, caring and empathic. The world of neonatal care is ever changing and we need forward thinking, dynamic people to drive these changes. We want to see initiative, innovation and passion for an area of nursing so unique and awe inspiring.
Neonatal Unit: Ward 35 RVI
We are a busy Regional Level 3 Neonatal Unit. The fast paced environment brings with it the excitement of each day being very different.
We currently have in the region of 170 staff rotating between ITU and our low and high dependency areas within the unit, where we work closely with the Transitional Care Team, Maternity and Children’s Services to offer the highest standards of care possible.
Our neonatal nurses compassionately care for preterm and term babies requiring respiratory support at birth. We also care for babies with complex health needs. Babies may require surgical intervention, neurological or cardiac input.
Shift times
We operate a varying shift pattern that includes internal rotation, working a mixture of day and night shifts. There is opportunity to work flexible shift patterns including 12 hour shifts.
There are a wealth of learning opportunities within the unit because of the complexities and variety of what we see. As an appropriately trained neonatal nurse, you will attend the delivery of sick and preterm babies with the neonatal team to assist with the resuscitation, stabilisation and transfer to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Development and learning opportunities
All new staff on the unit receive 300 hours supernumerary time which equates to 8 weeks if full-time. Depending on previous experience, you will either be allocated to our low/high dependency unit or our intensive care unit to begin your neonatal nursing career.
You will be allocated a preceptor to work with during this time who will offer guidance and support; you will also be working with several other qualified staff during this time. We also have a dedicated Practice Support Team who will deliver a comprehensive training programme during your supernumerary time and offer any additional support required.
On completion of your supernumerary time, the Practice Support Team will avail themselves to be able to fill in any gaps in knowledge, to help develop skills and to complete clinical competencies.
You will meet with a member of the Practice Support Team at 5 weeks, 3 and 6 months for a review during your probation time with the Trust. The Practice Support Team have also developed a Preceptorship Package which you will be emailed before commencement of your post.
In addition to the training, you will receive during your supernumerary time, normally within the first couple of years of your career in neonatal nursing, you will be expected to attend the Neonatal QIS (Qualification in Specialty).
The QIS is a university based course offered at both levels 6 and 7. You will be allocated a place at either Northumbria or Teesside University; the course covers all aspects of neonatal low and high dependency care and then neonatal intensive care.
We also offer the NLS (New-born Life Support) course. This course is accredited by the Resuscitation Council UK and equips you with the knowledge and skills required to assist with the resuscitation and stabilisation of a new-born baby.
On an annual basis, all staff on the unit attend our Health & Safety training day. These training days run monthly and you will be allocated to a specific month to attend. This incorporates face-to-face mandatory training which includes adult BLS and your annual new-born life support update; fire training which includes an evacuation simulation, and any other clinical updates that are required.
Career Development
The Neonatal Unit provides fantastic opportunities for career progression. Staff have the opportunity to undertake the Sister’s Development Programme once experience has been gained. This incorporates a programme for staff wishing to progress from band 5 to band 6 and another programme for staff wishing to progress from band 6 to 7.
There is also the opportunity to apply for NNeTS (Northern Neonatal Transport Service) if a post becomes available, and once ITU experience has been gained. There are additional opportunities for ANNP (Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner) training.
Northern Neonatal Network
The Northern Neonatal Network also provide specific training days which are open to staff to attend if they are available. The Network provide FINE training (Foundation Toolkit for Family Centred Developmental Care) which is internationally renowned.
Specialist teams
The unit is large and because of this we have a number of specific nursing teams. This enables us to provide a continued exceptionally high standard of care to the most vulnerable, preterm and sick babies. We offer:
Transitional care (TC) nurses
TC nurses provide support to mothers and babies to enable the family unit to stay together. Traditionally, these babies would have been admitted to low dependency – babies requiring glucose management, feeding issues, small for gestational age to name a few but the TC team facilitate the baby staying with the mother. We will have a designated ward to provide this care in the near future and because of this, the neonatal TC team will be expanding.
Infant feeding team
A team of nurses and nursery nurses who offer guidance and support to all mothers on the unit who wish to express their breast milk. The team also offer training to all staff on the unit.
Since this team was established, the rates of mothers expressing their milk has massively increased. The unit has been awarded level 3 Baby Friendly accreditation by UNICEF, an amazing achievement for a level 3 unit.
NNeTS: Northern Neonatal Transport Service
This regional service transports all critically ill new-born babies to the most appropriate place for them to be cared for. They also repatriate babies throughout the region to their referring hospital.
Although the team provides regional coverage and is a standalone service, it runs from the unit.
Allied Health Professionals (AHPs)
Our dedicated Allied Health Professional colleagues provide an essential aspect to care.
Our physiotherapists provide training to all new staff on our Developmental Care Day and support staff and families on the unit to provide a high standard of developmental care to babies.
Research
Our neonatal research nurses provides support and training to staff on all of the studies we have running on the unit.
Working in the neonatal environment can be challenging, demanding and at times emotional, but it is equally diverse, exciting, rewarding and an extremely satisfying place to work.
Get in touch
For further information, please contact:
Sara Donnison, Clinical Educator
Email: sara.donnison@nhs.net
Marie Thorogood, Sister
Email: marie.thorogood@nhs.net
