Preceptors and the New Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Educational World.

The need for neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) preceptors has never been greater. Precepting is a professional responsibility with both rewards and challenges. The recent pandemic has brought about new challenges, not the least of which is burnout from clinical, learner, and environmental demands. A new educational model from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the National Task Force outlines educational and preceptor requirements aimed at improving the advanced practice educational experience for students and preceptors. Available research provides evidence of what preceptors value and how to develop best practices with academic institutions to advocate for their students. This article will discuss new nursing educational models and the role of the NNP preceptor and analyze current best practices in preceptor recruitment and retention while discussing national trends impacting personal and professional NNP practices.

The important primary care role of neonatal nurse practitioners in the neonatal intensive care unit.

ABSTRACT: Neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) are recognized as acute care providers but are actually both acute and primary care providers via education and practice. Neonatal nurse practitioners provide primary care such as anticipatory guidance, care and follow-up of technologically dependent infants, and discharge planning. Numerous interventions and care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) fall under the umbrella of health promotion, an aspect of primary care. In addition, NNPs must also be able to recognize, diagnose, and manage myriad common pediatric illnesses. There is a paucity of data to evaluate how NNP programs are meeting the National Association of Neonatal Nurses educational standards on this topic. A REDCap survey was sent to 31 NNP program directors, with a 100% response rate. All programs provide content addressing primary care management in their curriculum. National recognition of the primary care role, in addition to the acute care role that NNPs practice, should increase opportunities for clinical placement sites, employment opportunities, and grant funding. This article aims to demonstrate both the educational preparation and the delivery of primary care that NNPs provide in the NICU and other areas of practice.

2020 Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Workforce Survey: An Executive Summary.

BACKGROUND: The National Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NANNP) partnered with the National Certification Corporation (NCC) to invite all NCC-certified neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) to participate in a national survey on NNP compensation, workforce environment, and satisfaction measures. PURPOSE: To understand the current NNP compensation, benefits, and workforce environment. METHODS: An anonymous survey was sent to 6558 board-certified NNPs with 845 respondents. RESULTS: Most of the survey respondents (92%) are in direct patient care (n = 804) with 83% (n=703) working full time (35 hours or more). Those NNPs with less than 5 years' experience had a mean salary of $119,000 per year while more experienced NNPs (30-plus years) earned a mean salary of $134,000 per year. Half of the NNPs (51%) report high satisfaction with their scope of practice and role in their organization. Distribution of NNPs throughout the workforce is suboptimal, with 67% of the administrators indicating they do not have enough NNPs. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH: The 2020 NANNP workforce survey collected information on NNP compensation, benefits, work environment, and experiences. It identified areas of satisfaction, such as compensation with bonuses and pay increases, and acknowledged areas needing improvement such as the lack of diversity within the profession. Utilizing the results of the survey will help create a more diverse, well-educated, and informed workforce to ensure culturally competent NNPs remain relevant within the healthcare system.

Implementing a perinatal substance abuse screening tool.

Newborns exposed to illicit drugs or alcohol in utero can face physical, social, and emotional obstacles. Outcomes for children with fetal alcohol syndrome disorders are well documented in the literature. Data exist on the effects of maternal illicit drug use. Identifying perinatal substance abuse can increase positive outcomes for newborns and create the opportunity for mothers to access assistance through referrals to community resources.This article provides insight on how hospitals can implement an effective screening tool through patient surveying and testing, nurse education, and collaboration with community agencies in a multidisciplinary advisory committee setting.This discussed method of universal perinatal screening results in increased positive screens and increased referrals for care and support. Emphasis is placed on universal screening and testing methods. Nurses are trained in motivational interview techniques that convey empathy, listening, and objectivity. Community agencies partner with hospital staff through onsite meetings with families that determine the best discharge plan for the newborn. The multidisciplinary advisory committee meets continually to discuss future enhancements.

Advanced practice in neonatal nursing.

The participation of advanced practice registered nurses in neonatal care continues to be accepted and supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Recognized categories of advanced practice neonatal nursing are the neonatal clinical nurse specialist and the neonatal nurse practitioner.

"Late-preterm" infants: a population at risk.

Late-preterm infants, defined by birth at 34(0/7) through 36(6/7) weeks' gestation, are less physiologically and metabolically mature than term infants. Thus, they are at higher risk of morbidity and mortality than term infants. The purpose of this report is to define "late preterm," recommend a change in terminology from "near term" to "late preterm," present the characteristics of late-preterm infants that predispose them to a higher risk of morbidity and mortality than term infants, and propose guidelines for the evaluation and management of these infants after birth.

Prevention and management of pain in the neonate: an update.

The prevention of pain in neonates should be the goal of all caregivers, because repeated painful exposures have the potential for deleterious consequences. Neonates at greatest risk of neurodevelopmental impairment as a result of preterm birth (ie, the smallest and sickest) are also those most likely to be exposed to the greatest number of painful stimuli in the NICU. Although there are major gaps in our knowledge regarding the most effective way to prevent and relieve pain in neonates, proven and safe therapies are currently underused for routine minor yet painful procedures. Every health care facility caring for neonates should implement an effective pain-prevention program, which includes strategies for routinely assessing pain, minimizing the number of painful procedures performed, effectively using pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies for the prevention of pain associated with routine minor procedures, and eliminating pain associated with surgery and other major procedures.