I have worked as a nurse within neonatal services for the last 13 years, mainly in local neonatal units in the Yorkshire and Humber region. Having progressed in my nursing role into a local education position, I gained experience and knowledge to allow further development. In September 2020, I commenced the role of Neonatal Clinical Educator for the Yorkshire and Humber ODN. In this position I have active involvement in the development and facilitation of a new Neonatal Foundation Programme and educational strategy. I continue to identify educational needs and develop resources to assist the delivery of education and promote personal and professional development. I am a member of the NNA and direct the Neonatal Foundation Programme which is also endorsed by the NNA.
I am contactable for any questions via email: Nicola.hunt23@nhs.net.
The Neonatal Foundation Programme was designed and implemented with the support of education leaders across the Yorkshire and Humber neonatal network. The purpose of the programme is to provide knowledge and skills that underpin neonatal nursing care to the newly qualified nurse or nurse that is new to the speciality. The programme guides the learner to deliver individualised neonatal care that meets the needs of the baby and family in a variety of settings. It consists of 10 study days delivered over a 6-month period and is accompanied by necessary post session learning, a competency document and SIM assessment to complete the programme. The full programme is facilitated by the Yorkshire and Humber Neonatal Operational Delivery Network and endorsed by the Neonatal Nurses Association.
The foundation course is offered to staff early in their neonatal nursing career to give them best opportunity of achieving and thriving in the speciality.
5 Reasons to access a Foundation Programme
Knowledge

Do you want to become more knowledgeable in what you do? As neonatal nurses, we have all been newly qualified nursing staff at some point, and all remember starting our career and feeling like we need to know more to deliver the care we want to. Enhancing your knowledge base is key! Although, we all have been through our incredible nurse training, joining neonatal services means you need the specialist knowledge to care for the beautiful babies and their families. A Foundation programme starts right at the basics, from how to keep a baby warm, why this is vital and how to take and record basic observations. As your time in the neonatal service extends, your knowledge base supported through the programme will build, allowing you the ability to provide high standards of care for babies in special care and high dependency whilst improving your confidence and differing levels of exposure to the sickest patients.
Improving Standards of Care

We are all here to do the best for our patient, that’s why we become nurses! Education improves patient outcomes, it’s that simple! A foundation programme will give you the skills you need to improve your decision making, care planning, time management and fundamental nursing knowledge. We want you to feel empowered and encourage you to aspire to be the best nurse you can be! Having an essential prospectus of learning will promote you to adhere to the highest standards of care and ensures you are aware of why these standards are so important. We have learnt that achievement in post graduate education gives enhanced patient care.
Standardisation

The Programme is standardised across the Y&H network and can be accessed by any member of staff working at Band 4/5 level.All staff follow and undertake the requirements of the programme in the same way, completing the same study days and additional work. This ensures equality in learning outcomes and access to development opportunities on completion of the programme. Having a standardised education pathway allows for peer encouragement to achieve and succeed.
Professional development and Career Progression

Do you want to be the best nurse you can be?Continuing professional development is a term we are constantly exposed to during our time as a nurse and is essential in maintaining your nursing registration as part of your revalidation. Education and learning can often be challenging and nerve wracking but as our parents used to tell us all when we dreaded going to school ‘it will all be worth it in the end’. Accessing learning is not only beneficial for you as an individual and opening possibilities of career progression, but it is also beneficial for the incredible babies and families we get the pleasure to care for.

The programme is essential and a prerequisite in our network for accessing the Qualification in Speciality (QIS) Training offered in Leeds Beckett and Sheffield Universities. This ongoing education is required within the neonatal service to allow you to progress in your career and opens the doors to many other opportunities. Development opportunities for Neonatal Nurses are a result of achieving in neonatal education whilst assuring the provision of high standards of care.
Peer support!
Share experiences with people who know what it is like!

One of the greatest pieces of feedback we receive from students is the importance of interacting and meeting other nursing staff who are going through the same experience. Many students work in different units and have varying exposure to varying levels of patient care. The ability to talk, problem solve, and work together is an essential part of their experience. You will meet new people of all ages and experiences and get the opportunity to learn and develop together.
Taking a plunge to start learning sometimes seems like you are going back in time, especially if you have just finished your nurse training. But remember all education supports your ability to provide care and with the knowledge to keep you safe in the delivery. Without further education how can you succeed and progress, think about your aspirations – how are you going to get there?

My name is Dr. Julia Petty, and I am a nurse lecturer specialising in children’s nursing with a particular interest in neonatal care. My nursing career in paediatric and neonatal clinical nursing practice began after a BSc Hons degree in Psychology at Warwick University, when I moved to Great Ormond Street Hospital, London. Here, I trained in children’s and adult nursing before working there for many years in children’s and neonatal surgical care. I then gained my neonatal nursing qualification at St George’s NHS Trust London and worked at the Whittington NHS Trust NICU before moving back to Great Ormond Street for a senior education role on NICU where I worked until 2001. I then worked as Senior Lecturer at City University, London for 12 years leading the neonatal nursing education portfolio. I studied for a MSc, a PGCE and MA in academic practice during this time, In 2013, I moved to the University of Hertfordshire where my role is Associate Professor (learning and teaching) and Senior lecturer child nursing. I teach on the BSc Hons nursing and master’s degree programmes including leadership of modules, face-to-face/online teaching, assessing and supervision of students at all levels up to doctorate level. I am also research active and have completed a Doctorate in Education. As a nurse, educator and post-doctorate researcher, my interests focus on parents’ premature birth experiences, supporting parents in the transition home from NICU, exploring communication needs of neonates and their carers and studying the educational value of digital storytelling. This combination and variety of roles enriches my working life and brings together my experience as a child / neonatal nurse, educator and researcher. My role and related activities enable me to engage in both education and research while supporting students on their nursing career and education pathway, which is a privilege to be part of.
Hello my name is Claire Richards and I’m the Lead Nurse for the Wales Maternity and Neonatal Strategic Network. This covers nursing leadership but also Neonatal transport. I also have a clinical honorary contract in one Health Board.
Hello, my name is Kim Edwards, and I am a Neonatal Nurse. I am currently the Lead Nurse and Workforce, Education Lead for the Thames Valley and Wessex Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (ODN)
Hello, my name is Jean and I am a registered children’s nurse with 27 years experience. I qualified with a DipHE after struggling academically due to dyslexia. Over my career I have worked mainly in PICU, NICU and children’s cardiac critical care. I am dual qualified in speciality (QIS) for both Neonatal and Paediatrics. The QIS program is a post graduate modular course completed at level 6/7. To be considered QIS you must successfully complete 4 separate modules, each have an academic and practical component. Only on completion of the QIS course can you apply for a band 6 role. In addition to the above qualifications it is expected you would have several years proven experience in speciality at Band 6 and 7 prior to applying for a Matron’s role.