This credit-bearing continuous professional development (CPD) module has been designed to support the learning needs of qualified staff working in Maternity, Transitional and Special Neonatal Care areas.
It is relevant for Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals working in these neonatal/post-natal/outreach or clinical areas, who would like to improve their knowledge and understanding of newborns in the first 28 days of life and beyond, and achieve academic credit for their learning through module assessments.
What will I learn?
Aspects of contemporary evidence-based neonatal care of babies transitioning to extra uterine life will be explored, as well as common problems and treatment options found in the special care nurseries, transitional care areas, outreach and post-natal wards. Overarching all teaching will be the principles of neonatal neurodevelopmental supportive care and family integrated care practices.
Lessons will be in the form of lectures, discussion groups and group work, brought to you by authentic, experienced neonatal practitioners.
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
- Examine the impact of altered homeostasis in the neonate requiring special and transitional care.
- Critically explore the specific needs of babies who require special and transitional care and the emotional educational and social need of their parents and families.
- Critically evaluate neonatal care in relation to your professional specific practice, in light of government and local policies, ethical and legal issues and current research findings.
- Appraise current research relating to neurodevelopmental supportive care and its impact on neonatal outcomes.
Course dates and duration
This course is delivered over 15 weeks, and the new cohort starts on 7 September 2026.
Online delivery: classes are delivered online on a specific, timetabled day every fortnight. Full timetable details, including teaching dates and times, will be provided during the online application process.
The subsequent entry point will be in January 2027.
If you require any further information, or wish to register for January, please contact a.moylan@napier.ac.uk.
Delivery mode
This is an evidence-based education module delivered online. Throughout the 15-week module you will be in an online classroom environment, learning alongside a multidisciplinary group of neonatal, midwifery and allied health practitioners.
Attendance
Your module is online learning, based within a virtual learning environment (VLE) called Moodle. This virtual classroom hosts all your lessons, resources and timetables and provides a rich learning and reference area for you to use throughout your studies.
Online delivery: classes are delivered online on a specific, timetabled day every fortnight. It is expected you will attend all online classes and be supported in practice by your manager and allocated Neonatal Qualified In Specialty trained mentor to consolidate your learning.
Costs
In September 2026 the cost for this module is £1000.
Payment by invoice
If you need to raise an invoice to pay for your place please complete this form: Request payment by invoice. We will then contact you with a PO number to quote on your invoice.
Additional information
How will I be assessed?
This is a credit-bearing module worth 20 credits at academic level 11. To successfully achieve this, students will complete a written course assessment designed to demonstrate their ability to apply and critically evaluate their learning in relation to contemporary neonatal practice. The assessment requires students to explore relevant clinical topics in depth, drawing on current evidence-based literature and demonstrating a clear understanding of the underlying physiology, pathophysiology, assessment and management of the neonate. Throughout the module, there will also be ample opportunity to submit small formative 'tests of learning'.
How do I access the online materials?
You will gain access to Moodle, the VLE after payment.