Enhanced Neonatal Resuscitation Provider Course for Novice Learners.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of an enhanced format of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) course on new clinicians' comfort level in providing neonatal resuscitation.

DESIGN

Pilot project based on the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework with a pretest-posttest design.

SETTING/LOCAL PROBLEM: This course was developed in response to an assessment of new NRP clinicians who self-reported low competence and comfort with selected steps of neonatal resuscitation after participating in our system's usual NRP provider course.

PARTICIPANTS

A convenience sample of nurses, respiratory therapists, and physicians taking the NRP course.

INTERVENTION/MEASUREMENTS: The enhanced-format course facilitated hands-on practice at skills stations before the integrated skills station and simulation/debriefing component. The level of comfort in key areas of neonatal resuscitation was assessed in a postintervention survey on a 4-point Likert scale.

RESULTS

After completion of this enhanced-format course, participants reported an increase in comfort level with equipment and selected resuscitation skills.

CONCLUSION

An enhanced NRP provider course targeted to the unique learning needs of novice learners may increase their comfort level and satisfaction with newborn resuscitation knowledge and skills.