Neonatal Resuscitation Program

The Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Provider Course teaches health care professionals the concepts and skills to resuscitate newborn babies.

In Canada, the international, standardized and evidenced-based education program is administered by the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS).

Who should attend an NRP Provider Course?

Anyone who is required to take part in a neonatal resuscitation within their scope of practice may apply for the course. Applicants should be:

  • A licensed or regulated health professional; or
  • A health professional student; or
  • Be accepted into a course at the discretion of the Provincial Committee in jurisdictions where no official organization regulates or licenses the individual or their clinical role

With the introduction of the 6th edition guidelines, there is no longer differentiation between a NRP Provider and NRP Renewal course. In order to maintain current status, Providers need to attend a Provider course within 24 months of the previous NRP course. Content will be tailored to meet the learners' needs.

NRP in the LHEARN Centre

The NRP Provider course is offered in one of the LHEARN Centre's state-of-the-art simulation labs. Emphasis is placed on hands-on practice and multidisciplinary teamwork within a safe environment for learning.

Participants have the opportunity to work through multiple skill stations, practicing the following:

  • Resuscitation initial steps;
  • Effective positive pressure ventilation (PPV) and use of "MR SOPA";
  • Correct use of oxygen saturation monitoring and oxygen delivery during newborn resuscitation;
  • Cardiac compressions with continued PPV;
  • Insertion of alternate airways (including laryngeal mask airway and endotracheal tube intubation);
  • Resuscitation medication dosage calculations and administration using a needleless system;
  • Umbilical line insertion preparation and catheterization;
  • Special management considerations for care of the very low birth weight infant or those infants who are potential candidates for therapeutic hypothermia treatment.

In the LHEARN simulation lab, students will use the high-fidelity SimNewB manikin and participate in a variety of realistic mega code and simulation exercises that are tailored to meet both course requirements and individual learning objectives. In addition, the course includes time for team interactive discussion, or debrief, facilitated by the course instructors following the simulation exercises.

NRP Course Leadership

The multidisciplinary team of NRP instructors at Lakeridge Health includes experienced educators and practitioners from both Nursing and Respiratory Therapy disciplines. Additional professional guidance is provided in consult with Lakeridge Health's neonatologist, Dr. M. Almadani.

Course Prerequisites

Prior to attending the NRP Provider Course class, participants MUST:

  • Read and review the Textbook of Neonatal Resuscitation, 7th Edition. This is available for purchase through the CPS website (www.cps.ca); and
  • Successfully complete the Canadian online examination available through HealthStream. Please visit the CPS website for the direct link accessing HealthStream's Canadian NRP exam.

IMPORTANT: All participants must present to their course instructor a print-out verification of successful completion of the online exam. The exam will have been completed within 30 days prior to the class date.

For upcoming course dates, please look through our course calendar. 

If you have any questions, please email the LHEARN Centre at lhearn@lakeridgehealth.ca