The NWNODN Education Strategy was published in September 2021 and sets out the way forward for education in neonatal care services in the North West. (Click here for the strategy document)

The strategy is supported by a resource showing the different neonatal career pathways for the multi-disciplinary team (formally known as the toolkit), enabling services to understand the core skills underpinning each of the roles, and how they can plan the acquisition of those skills at individual and service level.

For the individual, this resource supports those career pathways which have been described nationally by signposting to the appropriate course / learning intervention to suit their chosen path.

For service providers, this will support them in developing their education offer in line with these recommendations

Neonatal MDT Careers Pathway Oct 24

The Neonatal MDT Careers Pathway is subject to ongoing development. We would welcome any help in developing this further – please click here to give feedback

Foundation in Neonates Programme (FiN)

This 6 month programme is the first element of the QiS pathway within the north west. It provides nurses brand new to neonates with the foundation knowledge they require to progress through their QiS training. The programme comprises of 11 study days taking the form of blended learning, together with clinical experience in special care, high dependency and as a supernumerary placement within intensive care. Learners work through a competency book to evidence their learning and are fully supported by both the educators on the programme and the educators within the clinical environment. On completion of the FiN, and following consolidation of the knowledge learnt, the learners progress to the Intensive Care module which is undertaken at either Salford University, Manchester University or John Moore’s University, Liverpool.

Foundation in Neonates Programme for International Nurses (IR FiN)

This 3 month programme is specifically designed for international nurses, new to the country, but with previously obtained and extensive neonatal knowledge. The programme comprises of 6 study days which focus on communication, culture and local and national guidelines. The learners complete the competency book just as with the FiN and have an ICU supernumerary placement. However due to their previous knowledge they are expected to progress more quickly through the QiS pathway enabling them to utilise the skills they already have.

For more information on each of the programmes please click on the following link:

FiN and IR Information