Your Professional Pathway in Neonatal Nursing – QIS Foundation
When you first start working in your unit, you will begin your QIS pathway by enrolling in the QIS Foundation Programme. This pathway is designed to support your progression in neonatal care by empowering you to steadily build knowledge, clinical competence, resilience, and confidence. After completing the Foundation Programme, you will be encouraged to take time to consolidate your learning before moving on to the next stage—the Specialist QIS Programme—where you work towards achieving Qualified in Specialty (QIS) status. Both stages are essential to gain this qualification.
Whether you are just beginning your neonatal career or seeking to refresh your knowledge, the Thames Valley and Wessex (TVW) QIS Foundation Programme is here to help you meet your learning goals, build confidence, and progress within your unit.
Our programme provides a structured and supportive pathway for those transitioning into neonatal care—whether from student to Registered Nurse, Midwife, Nursing Associate, Nursery Nurse, or Healthcare Assistant, or when entering a new specialty.
We use a blended learning approach that combines flexible, self-paced online modules with interactive face-to-face study days and hands-on training within neonatal units. This comprehensive model builds knowledge and skills, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for babies and their families.
The TVW QIS Foundation Programme aligns with nationally agreed standards to ensure consistency across services. It champions Family Integrated Care, adopts a psychologically informed approach, and embeds principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion. Through interprofessional learning and evidence-based practice, we also focus on shaping a positive workplace culture and supporting staff wellbeing.
To express your interest in joining the programme, please connect with your unit’s Practice Educator. They will provide you with the digital application form for completion and submission.
The TVW QIS Foundation Programme has a rich history of developing neonatal expertise. The TVW Foundation Programme was initially developed as a Preceptorship/Foundation Programme by Kim Edwards and piloted in the Wessex region in October 2014.
Thanks to the strong positive feedback from all stakeholders, the programme was expanded to include the Thames Valley region. Over time, it has undergone significant development, embracing technological advancements to offer a comprehensive, blended learning experience. This programme is now accessible to you from the moment you begin working in a neonatal unit.
The TVW QIS Foundation Programme combines self-directed study, in-person learning, diverse assessment methods, and essential clinical placements within a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or unit of a different designation. Here are the key features that make this programme flexible and effective:
- Flexible Start Date: We offer rolling registration, allowing you to begin the programme as soon as you commence your role in a neonatal unit.
- Blended Learning Format: The programme consists of 10 self-guided domains and two in-person study days. These sessions leverage the expertise of medical, Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (ANNP), Allied Health Professional (AHP), pharmacist, psychologist, and nursing teams from units across our network.
- Varied Assessment Methods: Engage with our content through interactive questions, comprehensive capability assessment, practical clinical workshops, and quality improvement audits.
- Integrated ELfH Resources: Relevant E-Learning for Health (ELfH) packages are seamlessly integrated into the syllabus to enrich your learning experience.
| Domains |
| 1. Personal and professional development |
| 2. Overview of neonatal services |
| 3. Fluid, electrolyte, nutrition, feeding and elimination management |
| 4. Respiratory and cardiovascular care |
| 5. Neurological and infant neurodevelopmental care |
| 6. Thermoregulation, skin, hygiene, infection prevention and infection |
| 7. Admissions, stabilisation, transfers and discharges |
| 8. Surgical care |
| 9. Palliative and bereavement care |
| 10. Psychologically informed neonatal care |
| Live Study Days |
| Patient Safety & Quality Improvement Projects Study Day-face to face |
| Communication Study Day-face to face |
While the full QIS pathway is designed primarily for Registered Nurses and Midwives, the Foundation Programme is also open to other healthcare professionals working in neonatal settings who provide cot-side care. However, completing the Foundation alone does not lead to the QIS qualification.
Examples of professionals who can access the QIS Foundation include:
- Newly qualified Registered Nurses and Midwives
- Paediatric Nurses on rotation
- Nursery Nurses, Nursing Associates, and Support Workers
- Allied Health Professionals, Psychologists, and Pharmacists
- Paramedics
We encourage learners to start the QIS Foundation Programme within their first month in a neonatal setting and aim to complete the programme within nine months.
- Foundation programme: £400
- Foundation (Nursery Nurses, Nursing Associates, Nurses on Rotation): £300
- Specialist programme: £2,100
MODULE 1:
Core Clinical Knowledge
MODULE 2:
Nutrition and Feeding
MODULE 3:
Family Integrated Care and Developmental Care
- Introduction to Programme
- Introduction to Neonatal Jaundice
- Thermoregulation
- Oxygen Therapy
- Retinopathy of Prematurity
- Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
- Recognising the deteriorating infant
- Admissions
- Vital Signs
- Down Syndrome
- Alternative feeding and SALT
- Dietetics
- UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative and what it means for you.
- Making Milk (physiology of lactation, lactation hormones)
- Importance of Breastmilk (nutrition, donor milk, moving onto breastfeeding, successful BF, responsive bottle feeding, positioning and attachment)
- Expressing breastmilk (reluctant feeders)
- Nutritional Care
- Insertion and management of gastric tubes
- Cleft palate
- Introduction to Developmental Care
- Enabling, facilitating and Supporting Developmental Care in NICU- Neurosensory Development, Positioning, Pain and Comfort, Infant attachment and bonding
- Family Integrated Care
- Outreach
MODULE 4:
Introduction, Maternal Health and Parental Support
MODULE 5:
High Dependency Care
MODULE 6:
IV Study Day
- Maternal High-Risk Factors
- Maternal Mental Health
- TV & W Parent Advisory Group
- Parent Counselling
- Bliss and Family Centred Care
- Parent experience
- Good mental health
- Importance of Respiratory Humidification
- Care of a baby on High Flow Therapy
- Care of the baby on CPAP
- Introduction to Neonatal Radiography
- Basic Blood Gas analysis
- Theory and nursing care of a baby with PDA
- Hypoglycaemia and Infant of Diabetic Mothers
- Care of the baby with TTN, RDS or CLD
THEORETICAL PART
- Accountability, double checking
- Administration of blood products
- ANTT and aseptic procedure
- Cannula care
- Introduction to central line care
- Care of the baby with an arterial line
- Common IV medications and fluids
- Patient Safety
PRACTICAL PART
- In-house IV workshops
MODULE 10:
Communication STUDY DAY
MODULE 11:
QI workshop and end of programme WEBINAR
E-learning (eLfH or ESR) Assessment
- Scenario 1: Conversation with relative
- Scenario 2: Conversation with colleague
- Scenario 3: Support after significant news
- Scenario 4: Professionalism
- Positive Feedback
- The Art of Communication
- Presentation and discussion of project ideas
PPRACTICAL WORKSHOPS
- In-house workshop for practical skills
- ATAIN
- Newborn Blood Spot Screening
- Newborn Resuscitation Level 2
- Positioning of the premature infant
- Breastmilk Provision for Preterm and Sick Neonates
- Immunisation on Neonatal Units
Assessment
- Completion of PAD
- Bioscience Test
- QI Project
Knowledge will be assessed throughout each topic through mini-tests. Skills will be evaluated by signing off capabilities within your unit or during placements. Additionally, a Quality Improvement Audit will be conducted.
As a core component of the QIS Foundation Programme, learners will attend a dedicated face-to-face patient safety study day. The primary aim of this day is to empower individuals to identify areas where patient safety can be enhanced or where other small improvements can be made within their clinical environment. This forms the foundation of the Quality Improvement (QI) Audit.
Undertaking a QI Audit not only helps to refine clinical practice but also provides an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to collaborate within a team and effectively problem-solve. To successfully complete the programme, learners will be required to submit a reflection and PPT detailing their audit research.
You are expected to participate in the following hours of learning:
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities (contact hours) | |
| Self-directed online learning | 7.5hrs per domain – 75hrs |
| Face to face study days | 15 hours |
| Assessment | |
| Completion of PAD | Ongoing on unit throughout the 9months |
| Reflection and PPT | Agreed by individual or unit |
Acknowledgments
Thank you to all the Thames Valley and Wessex Practice Educators, ODN team and speakers that contribute to the successful development and running of the programme.