Class Descriptions

AWHONN Perinatal Orientation and Education Program
This program is designed to provide nurses with theoretical knowledge needed to provide comprehensive family-centered care to women, infants, and family members during the antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum period. The content is appropriate for new graduates and experienced nurses new to perinatal care. The didactic content should be accompanied by guided clinical experience in your hospital/facility to provide integration of concepts.

Modules include:

• Physiologic and Psychosocial Adaptation to Pregnancy
• Perinatal Medication Safety
• Documentation, Communication and Risk Assessment
• The Process of Birth and Delivery
• Complications of Pregnancy
• Newborn Assessment
• Newborn Complications
• Postpartum Assessment and Nursing Care
• S.T.A.B.L.E.^®
• Perinatal Bereavement
  
  

Neonatal Resuscitation: Basic Program (NRP)
This nationally recognized program designed by the American Heart Association and American Academy of Pediatrics focuses on management of the newly born infant. It is targeted toward physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare personnel involved in the delivery room management and continued care of neonates. The didactic presentation highlights the written materials on initial steps, equipment, bag and mask ventilation, cardiac compressions, and biochemical resuscitation of the neonate. The revised material also contains information about ethical care and end-of-life issues. Upon successful completion of the written exam and skills performance (Megacode), participants receive certification from the American Academy of Pediatrics. A renewal program is offered monthly with new provider classes offered quarterly at Memorial Health. Courses may be scheduled at other facilities upon request.

Neonatal Resuscitation Program: Hospital Based Instructor Course
This course helps physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists become hospital based NRP instructors and implement the NRP program in their own hospital. Course participants must be certified AAP/NRP providers. Special emphasis is placed on teaching techniques, use of instructor materials, class registration, and special concerns when implementing the program. All interested participants must have completed a new provider course based on the 2006 recommended guidelines to be considered an instructor candidate.

STABLE^® Course
This one-day continuing education course focuses on the post-resuscitation/pre-transport stabilization of the sick neonate. Current NRP provider status is recommended. This course assists physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists in the stabilization and care of sick or at-risk neonates. The course is offered four times a year at Memorial Health and at other sites upon request.

STABLE^® Cardiac Module
This one-day continuing education course is offered annually to physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists managing neonates and infants with suspected congenital cardiac defects. The course identifies assessment and stabilization criteria for both cyanotic and acyanotic lesions commonly encountered in the neonatal period.

Neonatal Intensive Care Course
This seven-day course focuses on the care and management of the high-risk neonate. It is offered annually at Memorial Health. This course explores the complex pathophysiology and psychosocial needs of ill neonates and their families. Prerequisites for the course include NRP and STABLE. This course is required for nurses employed in the intensive and intermediate care nurseries and is recommended for Level II nurses in outreach facilities. Didactic presentations are provided by neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, and other specialists.

Basic Fetal Monitoring
This class is for perinatal nurses who have limited experience with fetal monitoring. Emphasis is placed on pattern recognition, interventions for relieving fetal stress, and documentation standards.

Advanced Fetal Monitoring
This class is for perinatal nurses who have completed a Basic Fetal Monitoring course or who have experience interpreting fetal monitor strips. The course focuses on fetal physiology, cord blood gas interpretation, legalities of fetal monitoring, current monitoring techniques, strip interpretation, and fetal monitoring documentation. A practicum featuring strip interpretation is included.

Perinatal Bereavement
This one-day workshop explores grief theory and its application in the perinatal setting. Participants learn the stages of grief, phases of mourning, and complications of grief. They also learn how to help a family through the bereavement process and provide care for the caregiver. Parents share their experiences with perinatal loss, providing participants with valuable tips and tools to assist others.

Perinatal Update
This annual two-and-a-half-day conference for perinatal healthcare providers covers trends and practices consistent with the prevailing standards of perinatal/neonatal care. The speakers are experts in their fields and present perspectives on the most current advances in perinatal care.