Jessalyn
What is some history about neonatal nursing?
My goal when i finish college is to become a neonatal nurse. #nursing #help #neonatal
2 answers
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Welcome to the Fascinating World of Neonatal Nursing
Neonatal nursing, a specialized nursing field, focuses on caring for newborn babies, especially those born prematurely or with illnesses. This field's roots can be traced back to the early 20th century when medical technology advancements and the creation of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) paved the way for a deeper understanding of newborns' unique needs.
The Dawn of Neonatal Nursing
One of the earliest trailblazers in neonatal nursing was Maude E. Callen, an African-American nurse who served in the rural South during the early 20th century. Callen was dedicated to caring for newborns and their mothers in their homes, often journeying vast distances to reach her patients. Her unwavering dedication to her patients and determination to enhance rural communities' health earned her the title of the “angel of the country.”
In the 1950s and 1960s, medical technology advancements, such as mechanical ventilation and surfactant therapy, enabled doctors to save more premature and sick newborns. Consequently, the demand for specialized care for these infants increased, and neonatal nursing began to crystallize as a unique nursing field.
The Birth of Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs)
In 1960, the first NICU was born at Yale University, thanks to Dr. Louis Gluck and his team. This unit aimed to offer specialized care for premature and sick newborns, utilizing cutting-edge medical technology and a team of healthcare professionals with specialized neonatal care training.
As NICUs became more prevalent, neonatal nursing developed into a specialized nursing field. Neonatal nurses were trained to care for newborns in the NICU, including monitoring vital signs, administering medication, providing nutrition and hydration, and offering emotional support to parents.
The Evolution of Neonatal Nursing
In the 1970s and 1980s, neonatal nursing continued to grow. The first neonatal nurse practitioner program was launched in 1973 at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. This program offered advanced training for neonatal nurses, enabling them to provide more specialized newborn care and lightening the workload of neonatologists.
The Growth of Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs
Since their inception in the 1970s, neonatal nurse practitioner programs have continued to evolve. Today, over 60 such programs exist in the United States, offering advanced training for neonatal nurses and empowering them to provide specialized newborn care. These programs typically cover topics like neonatal physiology, pharmacology, and pathophysiology and include clinical training in NICUs.
Neonatal Nursing Today
Today, neonatal nursing is a recognized nursing field playing a vital role in newborn care. Neonatal nurses work in NICUs, offering specialized care for premature and sick newborns. They monitor vital signs, administer medication, provide nutrition and hydration, and offer emotional support to parents. They also collaborate with other healthcare professionals, like neonatologists and respiratory therapists, to deliver comprehensive newborn care.
Neonatal nurses are equipped to care for newborns with various conditions, including respiratory distress syndrome, congenital heart defects, and neurological disorders. They utilize cutting-edge medical technology and evidence-based practice to offer the best possible care for their patients. Additionally, they play a crucial role in educating parents about their newborn’s condition and post-hospital care.
Beyond their clinical duties, neonatal nurses also champion their patients and their families. They strive to ensure newborns receive the best possible care and their families have the resources needed to support their child’s health and development. They also advocate for policies that enhance newborn health outcomes and reduce health disparities among different populations.
May God Bless You!
James Constantine Frangos.
Daniela Silva
Daniela’s Answer
Hello,
Neonatal nursing is a subspecialty of nursing that works with newborn infants born with a variety of problems ranging from prematurity, birth defects, infection, cardiac malformations, and surgical problems.
Neonatal nursing generally encompasses care for those infants who experience problems shortly after birth, but it also encompasses care for infants who experience long-term problems related to their prematurity or illness after birth. A few neonatal nurses may care for infants up to about 2 years of age. Most neonatal nurses care for infants from the time of birth until they are discharged from the hospital.
You can expect to make a difference in the lives of infants and their families. In fact, you'll likely hear from the infants and families you've helped treat throughout their lives. In many ways, you are the voice of the smallest and sickest patients who don't have one of their own.
You can expect to work with as many as four infants at a time, though that ratio varies depending on how ill patients are. Neonatal critical care is provided around the clock and on weekends and holidays, so you can expect to regularly work 12-hour shifts, though some nurseries offer 8- and 10-hour shifts or other flexible options.
In some cases, you won't be working in a hospital. Instead, you'll be in the community, providing home care or follow-up for high-risk infants.
Basic nursing education can be achieved through three routes. Enrollment in an accredited school of nursing is encouraged.
- An associate degree can be obtained in 2–3 years at a junior or community college.
- A diploma degree can be obtained through a hospital-based school of nursing. However, diploma programs are being phased out in most areas of the country.
- The baccalaureate degree (BSN), which provides the most career flexibility, is earned through a college or university and generally takes 4 years to obtain.
More detailed information in:
http://nann.org/professional-development/what-is-neonatal-nursing
Good luck!