The Semester 2 students of the Master of Science in Neonatal Critical Care Nursing (MSNCCN) program from Gulf Medical University successfully organized and conducted a Student-Led Staff Development Program at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Al Qassimi Women and Children Hospital on 28 & 29th April 2026 as part of their ‘Organizational Leadership and Management’ course requirement.
The educational program, titled “Early Recognition and Prevention of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) in New-borns: An Evidence-Based Approach,” was attended by approximately 30 NICU staff nurses over the two-day period. The initiative focused on enhancing nurses’ knowledge and clinical competency regarding the early recognition, prevention, and evidence-based management of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) in neonates.
The sessions incorporated interactive and learner-centered teaching strategies including lectures, case-based discussions, pre-test and post-test quizzes, and feedback evaluation methods. Key topics addressed included NEC risk factors, clinical manifestations, Bell’s staging criteria, evidence-based prevention strategies, feeding protocols, nursing management, and current neonatal care practices.
The program provided MSNCCN students with an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in clinical practice while strengthening their competencies in professional communication, clinical teaching, leadership, teamwork, and evidence-based practice dissemination. Through active involvement in planning, organizing, and delivering the sessions, students gained valuable experience in interprofessional collaboration, continuing nursing education, and healthcare workforce development.
The activity also contributed to the development of leadership and educational skills essential for advanced practice nurses working in neonatal critical care settings. The successful implementation of the program highlighted the importance of student-led educational initiatives in promoting evidence-based neonatal nursing practice, supporting continuing professional development, and strengthening collaboration between academic and clinical institutions.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
SDG 4: Quality Education;
