70% of the learners this time were students with no clinical experience yet. 89% were nurses and midwives or students of those professions. NICHE collects feedback on increased confidence levels in certain skills taught on the Neonatal Care Course. Research has shown that health professionals with confidence are more likely to “have a go” at things they have learnt about and, with this attitude and an appropriate level of supervision, will come increasing competence over time.
The increase in confidence in all 5 areas is obvious from the charts. These are the most important factors in preventing deaths within the first month of life. We have put more emphasis on the recognition and management of unwell – potentially septic – babies in the new rendition of the Neonatal Care Course. It is nice to see people feeling a little more confident about this cohort and the premature babies, but it looks like this is an important topic that we need to support the learners with going forwards. The resuscitation trainers should be proud of the shift in confidence figures after they had taught the skills. 70% of the learners on this occasion were student nurses which may explain the low level of confidence in all skills prior to the course.
People enjoyed the food and refreshments and commented that they help with the learning: “The refreshments were available and this gave us energy to concentrate”
One person commented that they would like them earlier in the day “to improve on candidates attention”. Lots of people asked for more time for the course as it was hard to fit all the learning in.
One person commented “I liked the fact that mentors from all over the world shared their experience” although others asked the native English speakers to slow down: “I suggest that while teaching us you are more audible and slow in speech because we are not used of the UK accent”.
There were lots of comments on the importance of the hands on aspect of the training and how they think that everyone should get this training because it saves lives: “I wish all nurses and midwives are trained in this course as it is very important and enriched”
Overall, it looks like the courses hit the spot:
“I loved every bit of the course because I really lacked confidence but now, I can’t wait to put my learning into practice.”