Program Overview

Essentials of Nursing Sick Newborns

Course Overview

The Essentials of Nursing Sick Newborns course is designed to introduce nurses working with sick newborns to essential knowledge and skills. The course is run by the Harry Crossley Children's Nursing Development Unit in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Cape Town.

Course Details

• Dates: 26 January 2026 to 24 May 2026
• Venue: Fully online with Amathuba (UCT's E-Learning Platform)
• Time: 16-week course consisting of a range of teaching and learning activities, requiring approximately 4-5 hours weekly. An assignment is due each week on a Sunday evening. All activities completed in your own time.
• Course Fee: R 7,860 per person (includes full online access to course material and support from specialist Children's Nursing educators)

Entry Requirements

• Registered Nurses (Professional and Enrolled)
• Must be currently working with sick newborns at any level of health facility
• No need to be working in a dedicated neonatal setting

Course Objectives

The course aims to introduce nurses working with sick newborns to essential knowledge and skills. An assessment of clinical skills competence in the participants' clinical setting is recommended.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

1. Articulate their role, within the complex system and environments in which newborns are nursed, to ensure safe and efficient care for best possible outcomes.
2. Explain the anatomical, physiological, and developmental differences for different gestational age and weight of newborns, and how this impacts the response to illness and the required nature of care.
3. More confidently provide safe, quality, evidence-based nursing care to sick newborns using the Newborn Regul8 Framework as a guide.
4. Recognize and utilize the important supportive role and resource of the principal caregiver and family in the pathway of a sick newborn.

Certification

A digital certificate will be issued to participants who have completed and submitted all learning activities and assignments to an adequate standard.

Application and Payment

• Places on the course are limited and allocated on a "first come, first served" basis.
• Last date for applications: Friday, 26 September 2025
• Full payment is required within 4 weeks of being offered a place. Failure to make payment within this time will result in loss of the place on the course.
• Limited Children's Nursing Development Unit (non-SA) bursaries are available.