The education of UK specialised neonatal nurses: reviewing the rationale for creating a standard competency framework.

This paper examines the influences surrounding formal education provision for specialised neonatal nurses in the UK and presents a standardised clinical competency framework in response. National drivers for quality neonatal care define links to the numbers and ratios of specialised neonatal nurses in practice. Historical changes to professional nursing governance have led to diversity in supporting education programmes, making achievement of a standard level of clinical competence for this element of the nursing workforce difficult.

A focus of care for neonatal nursing: the relationship between neonatal nursing practice and outcomes. Part 2.

A case study combining semi-structured interviews with documentary evidence was undertaken to ascertain whether neonatal nurses provide care in response to the developmental needs and consequent future quality of life of high risk babies (See Part 1 in May 2003 issue for the background, literature review and design of this study). Findings indicated that neonatal nurses are unable to focus their priorities for care on the long-term development of babies. Limited knowledge of, and unrealistic attitudes towards, potential outcomes posed a high challenge for nurses.

A focus of care for neonatal nursing: the relationship between neonatal nursing practice and outcomes. Part 1.

The developmental outcomes of survivors of neonatal intensive care are, in part, a measurement of the quality of care provision. The relationship between neonatal nursing practice and long-term outcomes of survivors remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the focus of care currently influencing qualified neonatal nurses' practice, to ascertain if nursing care is provided in response to the developmental needs and consequent future quality of life of high risk babies.