A post-diploma program is a course that can be 1 to 2 years in length. Can be a specialization, for example, Post Diploma Program in Neonatal Nursing.

COINN statement: All nurses and midwives can work at the bedside of the small and sick newborn following completion of a structured neonatal education and competency-based mentorship. https://www.conpcommunityofpractice.org/neonatal-externship

This is a university awarded degree (undergraduate level) for registered nurses or midwives. Programs and acronyms vary: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSc or BSN), Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc). Some countries have programs where Bachelor in Neonatal Nursing is awarded. A nurse/midwife with a Bachelor’s degree can work at the bedside of the small or sick neonate following completion of structured neonatal education and competency-based mentorship. (https://www.conpcommunityofpractice.org/neonatal-externship). They may also work as administrator in the neonatal unit, clinical educator, clinical preceptor.

This is a university awarded graduate degree; this degree can be a specialty-recognized Master’s degree (in neonatal nursing). Programs and acronyms vary reflecting Master of Science degree in Nursing: MSc or MSN. There are several roles for nurses with Masters’ degre.

• Advanced Practice Nurse (APN), Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS).

• Advanced Nurse Practitioners (APN, NP) as autonomous clinicians can manage, diagnose, and prescribe for the small and sick newborn as well as conduct referrals for acute and chronic health issues based on evidence informed guidelines (ICN, 2020, Section 3.4). Country-specific regulations apply to ability/authority to diagnose, prescribe medications, refer clients/patients to other services.

• Clinical Nurse Specialist (sometimes called Neonatal Nurse Specialist) is an expert nurse, a clinical educator and faculty/clinical preceptor working within the multi-disciplinary team in the care of the care of the small and sick newborn with an established diagnosis; a nurse who ensures evidence-based quality in nursing care and provides leadership in advancing nursing practice via research and interdisciplinary education (ICN, 2020, Section 2.3). CNS may or may not have prescribing authority in their specialty (country specific regulations apply).

International Council of Nurses (2020). Guidelines on Advanced Practice Nursing 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.icn.ch/node/1287

A university-awarded doctoral degree which is the terminal (final or highest) degree in nursing. There are two tracks: Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD, a ‘doing-a-research and finding evidence’ oriented degree) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP, an ‘implementing-evidence and finding best practices’ oriented degree). DNP training is to provide the nurse/midwife to be a leader in the clinical settings to advance clinical practice. Ph.D. training is to provide the nurse/midwife to be a leader in the academic/research-based positions to advance clinical practice.