Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews and discusses the function of the neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP). According to the paper, neonatal refers to the six weeks directly after the birth, and therefore the role of the NNP is to care for newborns, sick and premature babies.

Outline:
Historical Background
Components of the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Research Findings on the Development of the Role of NNPs
Professional Organization of NNPs
Ethical and Policy Issues
Impact of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention on the Role of NNPs

From the Paper:

"A recent study on the perceptions of NPNs and other nurses managing critically ill or dying infants in NICUs showed that they were comfortable with their role and involvement with the infants' family in this difficult time (Engler 2004). These NPNs perceived and placed greater weight on the family's need of them than the expectation of their peers or the administrative personnel. Those who spent more years at NICUs expressed greater capability in handling the situation, although most of them had no adequate training or preparation in bereavement or end-of-life care. Most of the respondents considered caring for the dying infant, the actual death, and cultural differences as influential or determining factors in their involvement with the infant's family. The findings, therefore, emphasized the importance of providing education and training to these nurses on bereavement or end-of-life care and cultural competence in nursing curricula (Engler)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Creech, R. (2005). Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program. Leaders in Medicine: United Health Systems of Eastern Carolina. http://www.uhseast.com/body-cfm?id=329
• Engler, A. J. (2004). Neonatal Staff and Advanced Practice Nurses' Perceptions of Bereavement/End-of-Life Care of Families of Critically Il and/or Dying Infants. Critical Care Nurse: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
• Jones, J. (2004). Neonatal Nursing: the First Six Weeks. Critical Care Nurse: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
• Kopala, B. (2005). Ethical Dilemma and Moral Distress: Proposed New NANDA Diagnoses. International Journal of Nursing Terminologies and Classifications: Nursecom, Inc.
• Nursing (2002). Spotlight on Neonatal Nursing. Springhouse Corporation

More papers on Neonatal Nurse Practitioner:

• Essay # 137446 : "Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health"
• Essay # 90145 : "Nurse Practitioner"
• Article Review # 140480 : "Transition To Nurse Practitioner"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: