Master of Science in Neonatal Critical Care Nursing (MSNCCN)

• Develop graduates, as potential clinical nurse specialist who will provide evidence based neonatal critical care; including the ability to diagnose, treat and prevent a wide range of neonatal illness.
• Foster leadership skills & advocacy to effectively manage and coordinate with multidisciplinary neonatal care team, with the goal to ensure optimal health outcomes for critically ill neonates and their families.
• Enhance professional development with advanced research skills, permitting graduates to participate in independent and collaborative research with the goal of advancing neonatal critical care and improving neonatal health outcomes in UAE and the region.

• Specialized Curriculum designed to address the unique challenges and complexities of caring for critically ill newborns.
• Benchmarked with international standards and accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, UAE.
• Tailored for working professionals with evening and weekend classes.
• Hands-on experience and development of advanced clinical skills through clinical rotations in leading Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) under the guidance of experienced preceptors.
• Emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, preparing students to work effectively within healthcare teams comprising neonatologists, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and other specialists to provide comprehensive care to newborns and their families.
• Opportunity to engage in research projects exploring current issues and advancements in neonatal critical care nursing, fostering critical thinking and evidence-based practice.

• Applicants shall meet all admission criteria for entry into the higher education programs offered by the University, as laid down in the Standards (2019) published by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), Ministry of Education – Higher Education Affairs, UAE.
• A bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited University in the UAE or equivalent one from outside the UAE.
• At least One year of clinical experience is mandatory in ‘Neonatal Nursing’ setting prior to admission.
• A minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its established equivalent
• Evidence of English proficiency:
  • TOEFL: A minimum of 550 (213 CBT, 79 iBT); or
  • IELTS Academic: A minimum of 6.0 band; or
  • EmSAT English: A minimum score of 1400
  • Equivalent tests prescribed by Ministry is mandatory prior to admission (This exemption can be applicable only to those students who undertook all their schooling (K-12) plus a Bachelor’s degree in English in a reference English speaking country eg. UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand).
• A valid license to practice as Registered Nurse issued by MoH/DHA/HAAD or proof of licensure process is preferable.
• Selection is based on interviews with the Admissions Committee, Dean/Program Director.
• A letter of support from the employer, guaranteeing release time to allow effective participation in the learning and training of the graduate students enrolling into the Program.

Conditional Admission

1. A bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited University in UAE or equivalent one from outside the UAE.
2. Minimum CGPA of 2.5 to 2.9 on a 4.0 scale or its established equivalent.
3. Evidence of English proficiency:
   • EmSat English: A minimum score of 1400;
   • TOEFL: A minimum of 550 (213 CBT, 79 iBT); or
   • IELTS Academic: A minimum of 6.0 band;
4. A valid license as Registered Nurse from MoH/DHA/HAAD, UAE or proof of licensure process is preferable.

The student may be admitted to the first semester to take a maximum of nine credit hours. They are mandated to achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale to progress to the second semester or be subject to dismissal.

PLO1: Provide advanced level of holistic care to critically ill newborns and foster compassionate, respectful partnerships with their family by integrating biopsychosocial and core nursing sciences.

PLO2: Demonstrate advanced competency in therapeutic interventions with family’s understanding of risks, benefits & outcomes and utilizing critical thinking and clinical judgment to promote best practices that drive a culture of safety and quality in the care of high-risk neonates.

PLO3: Exhibit advocacy, and accountability that is consistent with ethical, legal, and professional values in keeping the preferences and rights of the family while caring for critically ill neonates.

PLO4: Collaborate and communicate effectively to enhance therapeutic relationship, receive constructive peer feedback, and foster a positive work environment with the interdisciplinary team and family to promote neonatal health & wellness, healing or a peaceful end of life.

PLO5: Disseminate evidence-based cost-effective nursing Interventions developed through independent/collaborative research and promote innovation and entrepreneurship to meet the complex healthcare needs of critically ill neonates.

PLO6: Utilize evidence-based practice recommendations and established safety standards and protocols with clinical expertise, and consideration of family’s preferences while caring for critically ill neonates and provide education to family and care givers.

PLO7: Employ conflict management/resolution, problem solving and decision-making skills in managing day-to-day operations and crisis situations to enhance quality of care and safety of critically ill neonates.

PLO8: Exercise leadership, advocate professional autonomy and delegate efficiently for achievement of organizational goals.

PLO9: Apply ‘informatics-guided care’ to promote innovative utilization of artificial intelligence in neonatal critical care.

PLO10: Demonstrate self-directed learning to sustain and support continuous professional development.

PLO11: Promote neonatal critical care nurses’ unique contributions in managing resources to aid in advancing health to stakeholders of the organization, community, public, and policymakers.

Study Plan for Master of Science in Neonatal Critical Care Nursing Program

YEAR I

YEAR II

Total Credits Hours: 37

Total Clinical Practicum Hours In Sem I, II & III: 1170 hours

Semester – 1

NEO 111: Pathophysiological Concepts

This course will aid in providing a foundational understanding of pathophysiological concepts in advanced practice roles. System-based and case-based learning approaches will aid in the application of theoretical concepts, interdisciplinary clinical research, and evidence-based practice to an advanced comprehension of diseases and disabilities including genetics, genomics, pathophysiological alterations, and treatment modalities. This course will also address the pathophysiological context pertaining to the neonatal population in the UAE. Biochemical genetics and the genetic basis of disease will be discussed. Normal foetal development and physiology of organ systems will be used as the foundation for understanding the pathophysiology of disease across the lifespan.

NEO112: Health Assessment

This course builds upon previous basic health assessment concepts and skills to provide the foundation for students to practice in the area of neonatal critical care. It focuses on principles of health assessment in neonatal critical care practice enabling students to perform physical, psychosocial, spiritual, cultural, developmental and environmental assessments of neonates and their families. It will enable students to acquire skills of symptom analysis, differential diagnosis and effective methods of communication and presentation of findings. The course also emphasizes on skills necessary to develop diagnostic reasoning, clinical decision making and use of recent technology in health assessment.

NEO 113: Neonatal Critical Care Nursing Specialty I

This course will provide an introduction to the basic terminologies in Neonatal Nursing, concepts of care of normal and high-risk newborns, their physical and developmental assessment and neonatal screening. The course will focus on family centered care, ethical and legal issues in critical care of newborns. It will also give a detailed overview of the danger signs in preterm and term neonates and their nursing care. The course will also deal with infection prevention protocols in the Neonatal Critical care unit and deal with enteral, parenteral feeding and various routes of medication administration.

NEO 114: Biostatistics for Health Care Providers

This course will equip the student with advanced knowledge in the application of descriptive and inferential statistics in biomedical research. The focus will be on numerical computation and interpretation of outcome from a given data set. This course will help students to develop advanced skills in analyzing and interpreting data from Health and Allied Health settings through classroom demonstrations and ‘hands on’ experience with MS Excel for data management and statistical analysis software such as Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for analysis. This course will give focus to communicating complex statistical information effectively.

NEO 115: Neonatal Critical Care Nursing Clinical Practicum I

This Clinical Practicum course will equip the graduate students with specialized skills in assessment and management of normal and critically ill neonates. The course focuses on providing family centered care to neonates undergoing different invasive & non-invasive treatment and promoting baby friendly practices. It also develops skills in administration of enteral, parenteral feeding, medications, infusions, and transfusions including infection prevention protocols in the Neonatal Critical care unit.

Semester – 2

NEO 121: Applied Research Methodology

This is a course in research methodology that focuses on the research approach, study design, developing a research question, sampling methods, data collection techniques and planning for data management and analysis. The course focuses on the principles of research and the ethical and legal principles pertaining to research fraud, academic misconduct, confidentiality, and conflict of interest. It also offers an overview of the different approaches, considerations and challenges involved in nursing research. It provides an opportunity to the students to improve their understanding of the principles of quantitative and Qualitative research. The course covers international, national, and institutional guidelines regarding research in humans and vulnerable populations. Opportunities will be provided for the student to actively participate in clinical research, research seminars and presentations.

NEO 122: Neonatal Critical Care Nursing Specialty II

This course will provide in depth information on assessment of high-risk newborns. The course will also deal with system-wise high risk disease conditions including congenital anomalies. Students will discuss Evidence based diagnostic as well as therapeutic technological advances in the field of medical and surgical neonatology nursing.

NEO 123: Pharmacotherapy in Neonatal Critical Care

This course is designed to enable students to have an in-depth understanding of the general principles of pharmacology and pharmacological implications in care of normal and preterm neonates. The students will also develop necessary knowledge, skill, and attitude to understand the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of various drugs, their mechanism of action, dosages and side effects, keeping in mind the physiological immaturity of organs, systems and metabolic pathways in the care of critically ill neonates.

NEO 124: Neonatal Critical Care Nursing Clinical Practicum II

This practicum is tailored to provide graduate students with a hands-on opportunity to apply the specialized knowledge, skills, and attitudes gained in the classroom setting for the clinical assessment and management of high-risk newborns. The course deals with medical and surgical management of neonates with system-wise high risk disease conditions including congenital anomalies. Students will also be able to utilize critical thinking skills and discuss evidence-based diagnostic as well as therapeutic technological advances in the field of neonatology nursing.

Semester – 3

NEO 231: Neonatal Critical Care Nursing Specialty III

This course covers key topics such as Neonatal Emergencies and Trauma, Stabilization and Transport of Sick Newborns and Trends in Neonatal Critical Care. An overview of Neonatal Palliative Care will ensure provision of compassionate end-of-life care to the neonate and family members in the context of United Arab Emirates. Integration of Evidence Based Practice and incorporating Leadership and management skills is emphasized to create efficient nurse managers. The students will also gain proficiency in the Accreditation process of a Neonatal Critical Care Unit. In addition, fostering Continuous Professional development aspects and Quality Improvement Programs will equip them in keeping up with the best practices in Neonatal Critical Care.

NEO 232: Neonatal Critical Care Nursing Clinical Practicum III

This course is designed to enable graduate students to develop competencies in the clinical assessment and management of high-risk newborns requiring Level III tier care, thereby enhancing clinical practice. The students will develop thorough understanding and will be equipped with professional skills of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), resuscitation techniques and emergency maneuvers. It will also enable them to utilize critical thinking skills, problem solving techniques and observe implementation of evidence-based research findings. They will be able to witness and contribute to the nursing standards and protocols practiced in neonatal care which is aligned with the regulations and guidelines of the respective healthcare institutions. Emphasis is also placed to acquire competencies in Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) and actively participate in continuing education programs. This course also provides an in-depth understanding of nursing management and leadership principles of a Neonatal Critical Care Nurse, as they apply to healthcare organizations. Emphasis is placed on the development of essential management and leadership competencies.

NEO 233: Organizational Leadership and Management

This course is designed to prepare the students to understand concepts related to organization, interprofessional collaboration, human resources development, strategic planning and managing, information management, quality management, performance appraisal, magnetism, staffing, scheduling, and budgeting principles. The course will enable the students to develop the necessary skill and competency to tackle issues in neonatal nursing service along with maximizing interdisciplinary team functions and generating productive results. The course will help students to develop the necessary leadership practice roles within the complexities of the health care delivery system in UAE by acquiring a broad knowledge in neonatal nursing leadership and management.

Semester – 4

NEO 241: Research Scholarly Thesis

This course introduces students to the instructions and guidelines used when a research project is conducted. The course will facilitate students in execution and interpretation of clinical related research and the production of a high-quality dissertation. The student will select the research statement in the field of neonatal critical care specialty specific to clinical practice and quality improvement services in the clinical area, present the research proposal to the committee and devise the instruments for data collection. After approval from the Institutional Review Board, the scholar will conduct a pilot study and make necessary changes before the main study data collection. The student is expected to proceed with their dissertation work as per the protocol approved by the Institutional Review Board. Research projects will be carried out independently by students under the guidance and supervision of research supervisors. The research scholars will develop their skills in analyzing data obtained from their research. The students will present their research project, followed by submission of their dissertation & thereafter successful submission of manuscript for publication.

The Master of Science in Neonatal Critical Care Nursing (MSNCCN) is full-time 2 years (4 Semesters) [37 credit hours] program. Awarding the master’s degree will be based on a thesis submission.

Graduation Requirements include

1. Successful completion of 37 credits of the program.
2. A minimum pass mark of 70% (Grade C) for each course.
3. A minimum CGPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.
4. Securing a minimum attendance of 80% in graded courses.
5. Securing 100% attendance in clinical courses.
6. Submitting and defending a thesis to the satisfaction of the thesis judging committee with a minimum pass mark of 80%.
7. Submitting a scientific paper for publication to an international indexed journal.

Master of Science in Neonatal Critical Care Nursing is a specialized field that addresses the critical care needs of newborns and their families. This specialization opens a variety of career opportunities with a high demand for skilled professionals.

Upon successful completion of the Master of Science in Neonatal Critical Care Nursing program, the graduates can:

• Work as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in hospitals, providing advanced care to critically ill newborns.
• Serve as a neonatal nurse educator, teaching and mentoring nursing students and staff in academic institutions or healthcare facilities.
• Take on leadership roles such as Nurse Manager or Director of Neonatal Services, overseeing the operations of neonatal units and ensuring high standards of care.
• Pursue careers in research, contributing to advancements in neonatal care by conducting and publishing clinical research studies.
• Work as neonatal healthcare consultants, providing expert advice and developing policies and protocols to improve neonatal care practices.
• Function as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) after meeting the country specific licensing requirements.
• Pursue doctorate degree in Neonatal Nursing like DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) or PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) to become a Nurse Administrators, Chief Nursing Officers, Deans or Directors of Nursing programs, or starting their own healthcare enterprises focused on neonatal care.