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Recommended Citation
Moon A, Satinover B. Prematurity Unveiled – A Day in Tiny Shoes, Simulation Education for NICU Team Members . Professional Development poster presented at Transforming Practice: The Intersection of Technology and Nursing Excellence; Advocate Health Nursing Research and Professional Development Conference 2025; November 12, 2025; Virtual.
Presentation Notes
Professional Development poster presented at Transforming Practice: The Intersection of Technology and Nursing Excellence; Advocate Health Nursing Research and Professional Development Conference 2025; November 12, 2025; Virtual.
Abstract
Premature newborns are ill equipped to process the extrauterine environment. Negative sensory input causes negative short- and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes for preterm infants. Developmental care practices mitigate the noxious sensory input of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) by mimicking the intrauterine environment, but effectiveness is dependent on practice consistency throughout the NICU stay.
This educational program's purpose was to improve the consistency of developmental care practices in our NICU. We hypothesized that teammates who shared the lived experience of their NICU patient would be more likely to consistently practice developmental care.
A two-hour simulation education session was created in collaboration with our Pediatric Therapy Team and Simulation Team. After a brief didactic introduction, learners rotated through three breakout sessions and one simulation. Breakout sessions reviewed sensory development and function in preterm infants and how postnatal sensory development trajectories alter when developmental care practices are absent. Teammates experienced routine care experiences with and without developmental care illustrating their profound effect on the patient’s experience. Learners concluded the class by demonstrating developmental care practices during a simulation exercise of moving a patient from an incubator to a skin-to-skin position.
Thirty-six NICU team members completed the class. Of those responding (n=19), most (80-90%) strongly agree that the simulation increases their ability to care for preterm infants. Participants describe the course as extremely helpful in understanding the “whys” behind practices and the impact on patients. “I will be more aware of the abrupt transitions these babies feel and go through.” Additional findings centered around “slowing down” and improved parent education.
This innovative interdisciplinary education program engages the learner by immersing them in the sensory experience of the NICU world. Sharing the lived experience of their tiny patients deepens their understanding and demonstration of this important aspect of quality NICU care.
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
11-12-2025
Prematurity Unveiled – A Day in Tiny Shoes, Simulation Education for NICU Team Members
Premature newborns are ill equipped to process the extrauterine environment. Negative sensory input causes negative short- and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes for preterm infants. Developmental care practices mitigate the noxious sensory input of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) by mimicking the intrauterine environment, but effectiveness is dependent on practice consistency throughout the NICU stay.
This educational program's purpose was to improve the consistency of developmental care practices in our NICU. We hypothesized that teammates who shared the lived experience of their NICU patient would be more likely to consistently practice developmental care.
A two-hour simulation education session was created in collaboration with our Pediatric Therapy Team and Simulation Team. After a brief didactic introduction, learners rotated through three breakout sessions and one simulation. Breakout sessions reviewed sensory development and function in preterm infants and how postnatal sensory development trajectories alter when developmental care practices are absent. Teammates experienced routine care experiences with and without developmental care illustrating their profound effect on the patient’s experience. Learners concluded the class by demonstrating developmental care practices during a simulation exercise of moving a patient from an incubator to a skin-to-skin position.
Thirty-six NICU team members completed the class. Of those responding (n=19), most (80-90%) strongly agree that the simulation increases their ability to care for preterm infants. Participants describe the course as extremely helpful in understanding the “whys” behind practices and the impact on patients. “I will be more aware of the abrupt transitions these babies feel and go through.” Additional findings centered around “slowing down” and improved parent education.
This innovative interdisciplinary education program engages the learner by immersing them in the sensory experience of the NICU world. Sharing the lived experience of their tiny patients deepens their understanding and demonstration of this important aspect of quality NICU care.
Affiliations
Advocate Children's Hospital - PR & OL