Neonatal nursing

Find out what they enjoy most about their work, advice for anyone wanting to move into this area of care, and what training they undertook to get their role.

Name: Debbie Webster

Job title: Quality Improvement Lead Nurse 

Speciality: Neonatal education

Organisation: Liverpool Women's Hospital (currently on a secondment to the Northwest Neonatal Network managing an education project)

What is your current role?

Currently I am working for the NWNODN (Northwest Neonatal Operational Delivery Network) facilitating a variety of education packages for all staff who work on the 22 neonatal units across our area.

This is a really varied and challenging role as we are trying to support education for nurses, doctors and allied health professionals over a large geographical area. We are also working with our colleagues over in the Yorkshire Network who are doing similar things.

So far we have added to our existing Induction Programme for new nurses with one for clinical support workers, delivered a neonatal surgical course, a network neonatal medicines management study day and an update day for consultants on level 2 units.

What was your route to this role?

I trained in the old fashioned way based at Alder Hey Children's Hospital and gained a joint qualification in child and adult nursing. My first job as a staff nurse was on a small PICU in London that had a neonatal surgical unit attached to it. Although through training I had leaned towards cardiac and paediatric intensive care I was intrigued with this new world of neonates and came back to Liverpool to complete the ENB 405 course at Oxford St Maternity Hospital which, at the time had one of the fastest growing NICU's. I was hooked and am still employed by the same Trust over 30 years later!

I got a sister's post there and worked clinically for the next 10 years until I took on the role of educator on the unit; after a few years of being unit based I became the Lecturer Practitioner between the unit and local university with my main responsibility teaching the neonatal Qualification in Specialty (old ENB 405). As networks started to develop I had a secondment for 2 years which gave me a view of the bigger picture of neonatal care. I am currently seconded full time to the network, this is the first time I have been away from the clinical area completely but I still believe I am contributing to ensuring all babies get consistent and high quality care.

What prompted you to do this role?

Neonates is a very challenging area of work as it is not only fast paced and unpredictable but you are also caring for families who are in the middle of what is probably the most traumatic event of their lives. The whole team needs to work together really well, be constantly updated and a high level of knowledge and skills is essential. I know that if the workforce is supported with good education and opportunities to develop the confidence gained will improve the quality of care delivered to babies and families. It also improves retention which managers like!

What education/courses/modules have you undertaken to equip you for the role?

I have a Masters degree in Health Research and Policy and a teaching qualification. I have completed a lot of courses on bereavement and palliative care to enable me to deliver study days for staff and I have also gained some counseling qualifications. As with most educators I am an NLS instructor. Over the last few years SIMS training has become a great education resource and to enhance this I have done some human factors training.

How do you see yourself developing your skills?

As I come towards the end of my career I realise how important succession planning is and to this end I would like to develop my coaching skills.

What is your long-term career plan?

This secondment is for another year and then I will work my last few years back on the neonatal unit.

What advice would you give someone thinking about moving to work in your area of practice?

To get a placement to see how you feel - its not for everyone but I think most people know quite quickly if its what they want to do. When you are there try and speak to people in different roles - clinical, education, management, community etc. 

What do you most enjoy about this area of care?

I think neonates has been one of the fastest growing specialties and its constant evolving has made it an exciting place to be over the last 30 years. However my main job satisfaction has been making a difference to the families we look after; the amazing cards we get years later saying thank you, families who we have long forgotten saying they are thankful for us every day. Its a real opportunity to provide high quality care and by giving just that little bit extra we can make an awful situation the best it can be.

Also for me personally in education I love seeing staff develop and progress; there have been some students on an elective placement who are now advanced practitioners and team leaders.

Name: Katie Broadbent

Job title: Band 7 Neonatal Sister

Speciality: Neonatal Unit

Organisation: Northern Care Alliance

What is your current role?

I am a Band 7 sister on a level 3 neonatal unit with 37 cots. My role includes both clinically caring for babies & their families & also co-ordinating care on the unit. I am developmental care lead. I teach newborn life support, & i am lead for bereavement care.

What was your route to this role?

I began working on the NICU after i qualified in May 1999. I worked at the Royal Oldham Hospital for 2 years & then took a career break & went to Australia & New Zealand for 18 months. There i worked on the NICU in Sydney for 3 months. I was able to travel & worked within Neonatal & paediatric settings in Perth & Gisborne NZ. I came back to work at Oldham having gained more experience & knowledge & then progressed to a Band 6 role. I gained further experience in leadership skills & clinical skills & lastly progressed to a Band 7.

What prompted you to do this role?

I came into Neonatal care from qualifying & have always been passionate about my job.

What education/courses/modules have you undertaken to equip you for the role?

I have completed several courses over my 20 Years. I qualified as a paediatric nurse in 1999, since working in neonates i have completed my ENB 998, 405, R23. I have a degree in Neonatal care. Modules in Leadership, Developmental Care & community care of the Neonate. I did my dissertation around palliative care & have attended many workshops & courses around bereavement care.

How do you see yourself developing your skills?

I am completing a course in July on Neonatal Behavioral Observation which will enhance my knowledge & skills further & support both staff & parents on the unit.

What is your long-term career plan?

I am currently happy in my role as a band 7 sister, have no desire to go further into management. I enjoy the mix of being clinical, caring for babies & families & coordinating the unit.

What advice would you give someone thinking about moving to work in your area of practice?

Neonates is very different to any other area of practice. Some of our babies can be on the unit up to a year this means we build close relationships with families, unlike anywhere else. The job is massively rewarding, but can also be challenging & stressful at times. It requires patience & excellent communication skills.

What do you most enjoy about this area of care?

Caring for babies & supporting parents through there journey. Teaching staff & students.

Name: Kellie Fraser

Job title: Clinical Educator

Speciality: Neonatal nursing

Organisation: Northampton General Hospital

What is your current role?

I am currently the clinical educator on the neonatal unit at Northampton General Hospital.

What was your route to this role?

I have always been interested in teaching and education and have often found myself teaching or actively trying to be involved in teaching since becoming a nurse.

I qualified in 2010 as an adult nurse, I accidentally got a job on the neonatal unit at Lincoln County Hospital while I waited for the permanent position I had interviewed for to be available. As soon as I arrived on the NICU I was totally fascinated, babies still amaze me and I absolutely know I am a NICU nurse, there is nothing else for me!

I gained my neonatal qualification in 2013 and had had some experience at level 3 NICU by this point, I knew I wanted to go into acute neonatal care but that meant changing location and I was young and free so I decided to do some traveling first.

I traveled for 2 years, into the arctic to race dogs and work in tourism. I learnt so much about leadership and management whilst away, as well as resilience and a broader understanding of diverse cultures but I missed nursing so I came back. 

I never dreamed that I would get my perfect job only 6 days after arriving back to the UK but I did, I got my specialty job at Addenbrookes in Cambridge, a busy tertiary centre specialising in all things NICU! 

After working there for over 2 years as a band 6 I knew I had more to give and I knew I wanted to teach so I applied to Northampton as Clinical Educator and it has broadened my perspective in ways I never imagined it would! 

What prompted you to do this role?

I have had some great role models in my time and I am someone that is eager to learn and develop so I recognise the importance of this role and I thought I had all the right qualities to do the job well.

What education/courses/modules have you undertaken to equip you for the role?

• QIS course in Neonatal intensive care 
• Mentorship 
• Neuro NICU skills team training 
• I am enrolled in the General instructors course and simulation instructor course
• I am also hopeful that I will get a place this year on the RCN leadership course

I am always keen to learn and develop so I put myself out there, when I am asked to teach or guest speak anywhere I happily do it, I always want to gain experience and contacts to develop. I have been a guest speaker at the university of Lincoln and Leicester and have taught at HIE faculty days in Cambridge. 

How do you see yourself developing your skills?

I will take every opportunity I get to develop my skills, I am always looking for ways to develop.

I plan to keep working on improving my personal skills and clinical skills to be the best clinical educator I can be.

I don't have a specific plan because so far I have just taken opportunities as they are come and made the best of everything.

What is your long-term career plan?

Who knows! I will take things as they come, I am very career focused and always looking to progress but right now I am happy in my work and I will see what comes along.

What advice would you give someone thinking about moving to work in your area of practice?

Neonates is often described as a marmite profession, you either love it or you hate it. Give it a go, enjoy the opportunity, babies are fascinating take some time to work with them and you will see.

To everyone in nursing I would say: don't stay somewhere where you are not happy, nursing is so diverse you can move, you can change and you can give something a go, be brave, take the opportunities and always communicate with your team. Without the team around me I would not be in the position I am in now.

What do you most enjoy about this area of care?

The babies and their families, I love building the relationships with them and I feel honored to be part of their very special journey. Every baby is unique! I also love seeing nurses flourish, when they start to love the profession and feel inspired, that gives me so much joy!

Name: Kelly Harvey

Job title: Quality Improvement Lead Nurse (North West Neonatal Operational Delivery Network)

Speciality: Neonatal nursing

Organisation: North West Neonatal Operational Delivery Network, Alder Hey Foundation Trust

What is your current role?

I currently work for the North West Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (NWNODN) as a quality improvement lead nurse. This involves engaging with all stakeholders within neonatal services in particular nursing and medical colleagues from the 21 neonatal units within the NW. I am involved in quality improvement projects to support the delivery of quality care to all neonates within the NW.

What was your route to this role?

I qualified as a paediatric nurse and immediately started within the neonatal setting. I worked as a band 5 and band 6 staff nurse before taking an opportunity to work as a band 6 educator for the regional neonatal induction programme. My next step was as band 7 educator back on a neonatal unit before spending some time as acting manager as a job share. From this I decided neonatal unit management was not for me and so I went back to being a clinical educator. My next step was to complete my ANNP training and I worked on the tier one medical rota within this job role. As an ANNP I sought opportunities to continue some education and was able to secure secondments to work at two universities as lecturer practitioner supporting the QIS, ANNP and midwifery courses. All of these experiences led me to understand my passion was improving the quality of care for neonates but i wanted a different direction away from the clinical facing, rota based working of the ANNP and so my current job offers that.

What prompted you to do this role?

The desire to continue to support quality neonatal care but to see how a more strategic influence could effect real change.

What education/courses/modules have you undertaken to equip you for the role?

Courses obtained include: QIS, Mentorship, Enhanced Neonatal Nursing, ANNP training (Msc).

How do you see yourself developing your skills?

I aim to continue to support clinical colleagues in understanding national drivers for neonatal care and implement quality improvements in the neonatal field for the benefit of neonates, their families and the staff groups caring for them.

What is your long-term career plan?

I have achieved more than what I set out to within my career plan but have just taken opportunities as they have arisen and shall continue to do so.

What advice would you give someone thinking about moving to work in your area of practice?

Neonates is a fantastic specialism to become as part of, particularly in the North West. We have excellent support for new starters with the neonatal induction program and a variety of neonatal services with opportunities to experience different levels of neonatal care. The area of neonatal nursing is unlike most other area's as the care is truly of the entire family unit and your influence in the early days of a new family can have huge long term impact. You can be the key to a successful outcome for a family where huge challenges have to be overcome in the first hours and days of life. It is a unique and extremely rewarding area to work.

What do you most enjoy about this area of care?

I love neonatal nursing and whilst i have now moved away from the clinical side of nursing I still do at least one or two bank shifts a month as a band 5 staff nurse on the neonatal unit. These shifts continue to give me huge satisfaction and passion for this area of nursing and i feel it is a privilege to be a part of the start of a persons life and support the establishment of a family and the physical needs of the sickest and most vulnerable population within a hospital setting.

Name: Kylie Reid

Job title: Ward based clinical educator and clinical leader

Speciality: Neonatal Unit

Organisation: Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Morecambe Bay Hospital Trust

What is your current role?

We provide teaching to neonatal staff on various aspects of mandatory training, such as hand hygiene and ANTT. I am the lead for equipment also, so I train staff how to use anything from a ventilator to a blood gas machine. I facilitate and teach on mandatory training days, looking at skills such as newborn life support. I assist in the implementation of new guidelines and also develop new guidelines myself, to improve patient care.

I also work clinically and take charge of shifts. This involves allocating patient workload, carrying a bleep and attending crash calls, as well as having my own patient workload.

What was your route to this role?

As a newly qualified children’s nurse, my first job was as a staff nurse on a tertiary neonatal unit. Over the past nine years, I have then moved to a different tertiary neonatal unit and then to my local level 2 neonatal unit. Whilst working in the tertiary units I worked towards and completed my qualification in specialty for neonates, by attending university modules and achieving specific competencies. I then went on to work towards completing my degree in neonatal care and am currently finishing my dissertation to complete this.

I got my first sisters post whilst working at the second tertiary unit and also worked as a research nurse in the neonatal setting. This provided great insight into the research process and how clinical trials are set up and carried out. For the last 12 months I have been working in the role of educator on the neonatal unit. This is a new role to me and has been very challenging but enjoyable.

What prompted you to do this role?

I have always enjoyed teaching and have worked with a lot a students and new staff. I also want my colleagues to feel comfortable in approaching me for refresher training on aspects that they don’t feel 100% confident with. I’m passionate about providing the best neonatal care we can and it is an area that is constantly evolving so change is frequent. Implementing change is challenging but very fulfilling when it improves patient care.

What education/courses/modules have you undertaken to equip you for the role?

• Children’s nursing DipHE
• Neonatal Nursing DipHE
• Will complete Neonatal Nursing DipHE later this year
  

How do you see yourself developing your skills?

I have recently been asked to train as a neonatal life support instructor and would like to complete this training as soon as possible. I would like to work more across hospitals sites within our trust to work to our level 1 unit as well as our level 2 unit.

What is your long-term career plan?

I would like to be able to undertake a teaching qualification in the future and continue developing as an educator.

What advice would you give someone thinking about moving to work in your area of practice?

Anyone at any level can get involved in teaching. I would advise starting as a mentor and then branch into a field you’re interested in to develop practice. If you’re interested in becoming an educator a formal teaching qualification will be useful.

What do you most enjoy about this area of care?

Seeing babies grow and thrive is amazing. It’s also great being able to work with families and see their confidence grow in caring for their baby with your help. Seeing your colleagues develop in their practice with your support is additionally very satisfying.

Name: Rachael Beagles

Job title: Practice Educator and Deputy Ward Manager

Speciality: Neonatal nursing

Organisation: Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

What is your current role?

Practice Educator and Deputy Ward Manager of a Level 2 Neonatal Unit.

What was your route to this role?

Qualified as a Children's Nurse in 2005. Did 6 months of general paediatrics, 2 years of complex care needs in the community before getting a job as a Band 5 staff nurse on the Neonatal Unit. Worked as a Band 5 for 4 years before getting a promotion to Band 6. Did this for 2 years before being promoted to Practice Educator/Band 6 clinical (joint role). Then became Deputy Ward Manager 2 years after this.

What prompted you to do this role?

I've always been interested in education and loved having students when I worked clinically. I particularly love the Practice Development aspect of my current roles - having an idea of how to improve something, and then planning, implementing and evaluating this. Although I miss working clinically on a regular basis, I feel like I'm making a difference to the families on the unit on a wider scale.

What education/courses/modules have you undertaken to equip you for the role?

The Neonatal Induction Programme and the Intensive Care of the Neonate (QIS) course, PGCE in Professional Education, local trust leadership course.

How do you see yourself developing your skills?

I'm hoping to apply for the ward manager's position when my colleague retires in December.

What is your long-term career plan?

Who knows! In the next 5 years - ward manager of the Neonatal Unit. That's a challenging enough prospect for the time being!

What advice would you give someone thinking about moving to work in your area of practice?

It's challenging, there's lots to learn but it is so worth it. I think I benefited from working in other areas before becoming so specialised.

What do you most enjoy about this area of care?

Neonates is an absolutely magical place to work. You are in such a privileged position to be able to share with families so many of the 'firsts' that are taken away from them because they've had a baby on the Neonatal Unit. I don't think I'll ever tire of seeing parents faces when they hold their baby for the first time. I just love it.