In 2004 the SNNG devised a career pathway for neonatal nurses. This was updated in 2010 and is now published under the auspices of NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and is available from http://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/education-and-training/by-discipline/nursing-and-midwifery/resources/publications/a-career-and-development-framework-for-neonatal-nurses-in-scotland.aspx. Continuing professional development and/or formal academic provision can support this pathway. Continuing professional development opportunities should be available locally. It is important that neonatal nurses/midwives become ‘Qualified in Specialty’ and some staff will go on to achieve higher awards.

Edinburgh Napier University is the preferred provider for neonatal education in Scotland and offers the following programmes and modules.



1. For midwives in step down units or transitional care units, for nursery nurses and for support workers, the following module is offered:

SCQF level 8 20 credit module – Special Care Neonatal Nursing Practice



2. For qualified nurses and midwives with at least 6 months experience in a neonatal unit and who are currently working in a neonatal unit, the following programmes are offered:

BSc Neonatal Nursing and BSc Honours Neonatal Nursing

In these programmes there are two modules that enable achievement of “Qualified in Specialty” and NES competencies:

SCQF level 10 20 credit module – Special Care Neonatal Nursing Practice
SCQF level 10 40 credit module – High Dependency/Intensive Care Neonatal Nursing Practice module.

Students who enter the programmes with a Diploma in Higher Education in Nursing or Midwifery or equivalent and who successfully complete the above modules may be awarded a BSc Neonatal Nursing.

Students who enter the programmes with a Bachelor’s degree and successfully complete the above modules may choose to exit with a Graduate Certificate Neonatal Nursing Practice. Alternatively they may choose to complete a further 60 SCQF level 10 credits to achieve a BSc Honours Neonatal Nursing degree.



3. For experienced “Qualified in Specialty” neonatal nurses, the following suite of programmes is offered and students may follow the one most relevant to them.

MSc Neonatal Practice suite that includes the MSc Neonatal Practice, the MSc Advanced Neonatal Practice and the MSc Neonatal Practice with Education programmes.

Students on all programmes must complete the following two core modules:
SCQF level 11 40 credit module – Theory and Practice of Neonatal Care part 1
SCQF level 11 20 credit module – Contemporary Issues in Neonatal Practice

MSc Neonatal Practice
In addition to the above core modules, students undertake a further 120 SCQF level 11 credits from a wide range of option modules that fit with their individual career aspirations such as clinical care, research or management.

MSc Advanced Neonatal Practice
In addition to the above core modules, students undertake the following modules:
SCQF level 11 20 credit module - Theory and Practice of Neonatal Care part 2
SCQF level 11 40 credit module - Supplementary and Independent Prescribing

Plus a further 60 SCQF level 11 credits from a range of modules that include a dissertation module.

MSc Neonatal Practice with Education
In addition to the above core modules, student undertake 3 SCQF level 11 20 credit modules that focus on education plus a further 60 SCQF level 11 credits from a range of modules that include a dissertation module.

Students who exit their programme prior to the achievement of their MSc degree may be eligible for a Post Graduate award.



For further information contact

y.freer@napier.ac.uk   or  yvonne.freer@luht.scot.nhs.uk

c.greig@napier.ac.uk

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