Guide to NICU Care
Nursing skills are developed over time and require continued practice. Working with an experienced mentor in the clinical setting is an essential part of fine tuning your skills. The Guide to NICU Care was designed to provide nurses with a framework to understand basic concepts of neonatal nursing and to further develop clinical skills. Resources for this guide include articles, webinars, recorded conference lectures, videos, and in some instances, references to consult for more information. To increase your knowledge, some of the categories include CE activities for continued nursing education credit.
If you are new to the NICU, need a refresher on the basics, or are a nurse manager or educator looking for an orientation tool, we are confident this guide will meet your needs. Many of the books referenced in this guide are available for purchase at the ANN Online Store.
Essential Text Books
- Tappero EP, Honeyfield ME. Physical Assessment of the Newborn: A Comprehensive Approach to the Art of Physical Examination. (6th ed.) New York, New York: Springer Publishing, 2019.
- Kenner C, Altimier L, Boykova MV. Comprehensive Neonatal Nursing Care. (6th ed.) New York, New York: Springer Publishing, 2020.
- Gardner SL, Carter BS, Enzman Hines M, Niermey S. Merenstein & Gardner’s Handbook of Neonatal Intensive Care. (9th ed.) St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby Elsevier, 2021.
- Moore KL, Persaud TVN, Torchia MG. The Developing Human Clinically Oriented Embryology. (11th ed.) Philadelphia, Saunders Elsevier, 2020.
About the Contributors: We would like to thank Deb Fraser, MN, RNC-NIC; Anna Holcomb, DNP, APRN-NP, NNP-BC; Lauren Holmes, RN, MSN/ED; Rachel Joseph, PhD, CCRN; Vivian Carrasquilla-Lopez RN-NIC, DNP, PNP, NNP-BC; Nhu Tran, RN, PhD, MSN, CCRN, CCRP; Valerie Yu, DNP, RN, CPNP, FNP-C, NNP-BC; Denise Zimmerman, RNC-NIC for sharing their expertise to develop the Guide to NICU Care.
Acknowledgements: A special thank you is extended to Tina DiFiore, MSN, RN, NNP-BC; Maria Cristina Gallup, MN, NNP-BC, CNS; Rachel Joseph, PhD, CCRN; Kathryn McLean, MSN, RNC; Angela Miller, RNC, BSN; Phyllis Palla, RNC-NIC, PNP, NNP-BC; Nhu Tran, RN, MSN, CCRN, CCRP; Valerie Yu, DNP, RN, CPNP, FNP-C, NNP-BC for sharing their time and knowledge to review this Guide.
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Revised February 2022
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Lessons
Activities Included:
Introduction
Gestational Hypertension, Preeclampsia, Eclampsia, HELLP
Diabetes
Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura
Intrauterine Growth Restriction
NAS and Family-Centered Care of the High-Risk Family Unit
Intrauterine Transfusion
Physical Assessment
Transition
Late-Preterm Infants
Surgical Emergencies
CNE Activities
Up-To-Date Resources (Only for hospitals and individuals with paid access)
Activities Included:
Introduction
Brain Development
Neuro Physical Exam
Neural Tube Defect and Cephalic Disorders
Birth Injuries, HIE, PVL, IVH
Neurologic Disorders, Seizures and Stroke
Pain
CNE Activities
Up-To-Date Resources (For hospitals and individuals with paid access)
Activities Included:
Introduction
Physical Assessment
Congenital Heart Disease
Specific Heart Defects
Management of Neonates with CHD
Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Congestive Heart Failure
Hemodynamics
Hypertension
Hypotension
Arrhythmias
Shock
CNE Activities
Up-To-Date Resources (For hospitals and individuals with paid access)
Activities Included:
Introduction
Lung Development
Blood Gas Interpretation
Chest X-Ray Interpretation
Respiratory Assessment
Non-Invasive Ventilation
Mechanical Ventilation
Lung Disease
Management of Neonatal Lung Condition
CNE Activities
Up-To-Date Resources (For hospitals and individuals with paid access)
Activities Included:
Introduction
Embryology
Interpreting the CBC
Anemia
Hypoglycemia
Polycythemia
Thrombocytopenia
Hyperbilirubinemia
Transfusions
CNE Activities
Up-To-Date Resources (For hospitals and individuals with paid access)
Activities Included:
Introduction
Anatomy and Physiology of the GI System
Congenital Anomalies of the GI system
Nutritional Management
Abdominal X-ray Interpretation
Necrotizing Enterocolitis
CNE Activities
Up-To-Date Resources (For hospitals and individuals with paid access)
Activities Included:
Introduction
Labs
Fluids and Electrolytes
CNE Activities
Activities Included:
Introduction
Neonates at Risk
Hypoglycemia
Hyperglycemia
Hypothyroidism
Inborn Errors of Metabolism
CNE Activities
Up-To-Date Resources (For hospitals and individuals with paid access)
Activities Included:
Introduction
Renal Embryology
Renal Disorders
Laboratory Data
Perinatal Indicators of Renal Abnormalities
CNE Activities
Up-To-Date Resources (For hospitals and individuals with paid access)
Activities Included:
Introduction
Perinatal Infections
Newborn Sepsis- Early & Late Onset
Pneumonia, COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Preventing Infection
CNE Activities
Activities Included:
Introduction
General Information
Dysmorphology Assessment
Congenital Anomalies
Genetic Testing
Ethical Considerations
Genetic Syndromes
Resources for Healthcare Professionals and Families
CNE Activities
Up-To-Date Resources (For hospitals and individuals with paid access)
Activities Included:
Introduction
Family-Centered Care
Breastfeeding/Cue-based Feeding
Skin-to-Skin Care
Preparing for Discharge
Developmentally Supportive Care
Supporting Families through NAS
Palliative Care
CNE Activities
