Position and Consensus Statements and APRN Publications

As the professional voice of neonatal nursing, the National Association of Neonatal Nurses is looked to as a resource on substantive issues that affect neonatal patients, their families, and the neonatal nurses and APRNs who care for them. Each statement discusses the background and significance of the topic and offers succinct recommendations and conclusions, along with references from the scholarly literature. Each statement is carefully reviewed and updated at established intervals. NANN offers additional content relevant to advanced practice registered nurses, such as executive summaries and standards.

Position and Consensus Statements

• RN Staffing in the NICU (September 2021)

The National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) recommends staffing be based on the acuity of the population served and that the principles of staffing and finance be shared with frontline nurses who then have a say in the development of staffing policies. Download the RN Staffing in the NICU infographic.

• Medication Safety in the NICU (June 2021)

The National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) recommends a comprehensive approach to medication safety in the NICU that integrates technology, focused healthcare provider medication safety education, standardized medication process, and robust medication error reporting and prevention efforts. NANN recommends an array of medication safety practices to those caring for the neonatal population. Download the Medication Safety in the NICU infographic.

• COVID-19 Vaccination Position Statement (May 2021)

Regarding COVID-19 vaccination, the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) recommends that nurses get vaccinated; that nurses keep abreast of the most updated information regarding vaccination; that nurses convey accurate information about the vaccines; and that nurses develop strategies to reinforce confidence in vaccination. Download the COVID-19 Vaccination Infographic.

• Essential Care in the NICU during the COVID-19 Pandemic (January 2021)

In this consensus statement, the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN), and the National Perinatal Association (NPA) recognize the unique challenges facing healthcare providers in reducing the risks of COVID-19 transmission while encouraging parent presence and engagement in care. AWHONN, NPA, and NANN believe that NICU parents are "essential caregivers." Download the Essential Care in the NICU during the COVID-19 Pandemic infographic. 

Read the press release related to the Essential Care in the NICU during the COVID-19 Pandemic consensus statement. 

• Marijuana, Breastfeeding, and the Use of Human Milk (September 2020)

In its most recent position statement, the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) recommends women abstain from marijuana consumption during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. NANN lists 14 recommendations for providers when addressing maternal marijuana use and the potential negative impact on neonates and infants. Download the Marijuana, Breastfeeding, and the Use of Human Milk infographic. 

Read the press release related to the Marijuana, Breastfeeding, and the Use of Human Milk position statement.

• Racial Disparity in the NICU (June 2020)

The National Association of Neonatal Nurses Board of Directors reviews the statistics concerning racially-related health disparities for premature infants and includes nine recommendations for how to endorse healthcare equality for all infants in the NICU regardless of race, parental economic or educational status, or geographic area. Download the Racial Disparity in the NICU infographic.

• Mothers with COVID-19 and Their Newborn Infants (May 2020)

In conjunction with the National Perinatal Association, the National Association of Neonatal Nurses review and discuss the most current literature findings and recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization regarding mother/newborn infant postpartum care in the hospital if a mother is COVID-19+. Download our Mothers with COVID-19 and Their Newborn Infants infographic. 

Read the press release related to the Mothers with COVID-19 and Their Newborn Infants position statement.

• NICU Nurse Involvement in Ethical Decisions (Treatment of Critically Ill Newborns) (reaffirmed 2021)
• The Effect of Staff Nurses' Shift Length and Fatigue on Patient Safety and Nurse's Health (2015)
• The Use of Human Milk and Breastfeeding in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (2015) - under review for update
• Palliative and End-of-Life Care for Newborns and Infants (2015) - under review for update
• Prevention of Acute Bilirubin Encephalopathy and Kernicterus in Newborns (2010)

APRN Publications

As the professional voice of neonatal nursing, NANN and its advanced practice registered nurses division, the National Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners, are looked to as a resource on substantive issues that affect neonatal patients, their families, and the neonatal nurses, neonatal nurse practitioners, and neonatal clinical nurse specialists who care for them. The publications below are specific to the unique needs of neonatal advanced practice registered nurses.

Workforce Survey

• 2020 NNP Workforce Survey Executive Summary
• 2016 Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Workforce Survey Executive Summary (2017)
• NNP Workforce Survey Paper (2018) 
• NNP Workforce Survey Paper (2013)

NNP Education Standards

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): Entry Into Practice (2018)
• NNP Education and Curriculum Guidelines for Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs (2018)

Professional Documents for Neonatal APRNs

• Nurse Practitioner Quality Metrics (reaffirmed 2021)
• Neonatal Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition: A Resource Guide for the Student and Novice Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (2020)
• Should I Stay, or Should I Go? Retaining Expert-Level Senior NNP Workforce at the Bedside: NANNP-Recommended Solutions and Guidelines (2018)
• The Impact of Advanced Practice Nurses’ Shift Length and Fatigue on Patient Safety (2015) - under review for update
• Standard for Maintaining the Competence of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (2015) 
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse: Role, Preparation, and Scope of Practice (2014) 
• The Future of Neonatal Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Practice (2014) - under review for update

Clinical Practice Guidelines

• The Management of Hypotension in the Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infant: Guideline for Practice (2011) (Retired, November 2020)