Goals

To provide the Registered Dietitian (RD) with a foundation in neonatal nutrition support; to enable the RD to assess, evaluate and plan high quality nutritional care with an emphasis on promoting optimal growth and development in critically ill neonates.

Objectives

1. Acquire or develop clinical tools to appropriately assess, evaluate, and determine a neonate’s nutritional status and nutrition goals.
2. Actively participate in planning nutritional care plans to promote optimal growth and development.
3. Adeptly discuss the unique and specific nutrition related issues a preterm infant may experience.
4. Be able to discuss current issues related to neonatal nutrition with evidence based knowledge and high degree of confidence.

The learning activities will encompass, but are not limited to, the following broad domains and therapeutic areas:

1. Domains: All domains outlined below will be reviewed by preceptors daily to ensure complete understanding of the complex decision making processes involved in planning individualized and optimal nutrition interventions for the patient.
   • Completing nutrition assessments and follow-ups
   • Nutrition support (enteral and parenteral support)
   • Electrolyte management
   • Fluid management
   • Neonatal development
   • Breastmilk and formula recipes, including nutrient manipulation
   • Growth changes
   • Delivering specialized nutrition care for specific disease states as an interdisciplinary team member
2. Therapeutic areas: These topics will be discussed in an interactive lecture daily by subject matter experts.
   • Body cooling/neurological compromise
   • Hypoglycemia
   • Respiratory compromise (bronchopulmonary dysplasia/chronic lung disease)
   • Growth failure (IUGR/EUGR)
   • Cardiothoracic surgery/congenital heart disease
   • Osteopenia of prematurity
   • Gastrointestinal failure (Gastroschisis, SBS, TEF, NEC)

A qualifying candidate is a practicing pediatric or neonatal RD who is interested in a career in neonatal nutrition and/or is seeking to advance his/her knowledge in neonatal nutrition.

The candidate will be awarded 26 CPEUs accredited by the Commission on Dietetic Registration and a certificate of completion will be provided upon completion of the 5 day practicum.

The registration fee for the 5 day practicum is US $ 500.00. The candidate is responsible for any additional costs associated with lodging, travel, and meals. Payment must be received in full by payment due date.

A detailed agenda with a daily lesson plan will be provided on the first day of the practicum. The broad agenda for the 5 practicum days follows below.

Please note, on Friday of the Practicum week, the hours will be from 9-12pm.

Parking at UMHS: Patient and Visitor Parking Guide

Public transportation: Patient and Visitor - Public Transportation

Airport transportation: Michigan Flyer

Hotels: Local hotel profiles and reservation assistance

To apply for this Neonatal Practicum, please fill out the application, and return to staff indicated on the form. Acrobat Reader is required to use this form.