NICU Competency Checklist

Please rate your experience/comfort with these skills on a scale of 1-5 (5 being the most
experienced/comfortable)

Pulmonary
Assess respiratory system and breath sounds 1 2 3 4 5
Care for an infant with a nasal cannula 1 2 3 4 5
Care for an infant on a high-flow nasal cannula 1 2 3 4 5
Perform oral and nasal suctioning 1 2 3 4 5
Obtain a tracheal aspirate 1 2 3 4 5
Care for an infant on CPAP 1 2 3 4 5
Assist with intubation 1 2 3 4 5
Care for an infant on mechanical ventilation 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant on an oscillator 1 2 3 4 5
Care for an infant with a trach 1 2 3 4 5
Care for an infant with a chest tube 1 2 3 4 5
Care for an infant on inhaled nitric oxide therapy 1 2 3 4 5
Care for an infant with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia 1 2 3 4 5

Cardiac
Assess cardiovascular system and heart tones 1 2 3 4 5
Care of a pre-op cardiac patient 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant on PGE’s 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant on inotropic drugs 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant with cerebral/renal sat monitors 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant with an arrhythmia 1 2 3 4 5

Gastrointestinal
Assess gastrointestinal system 1 2 3 4 5
Care of a patient with a OG/NG to suction 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant with an ostomy 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant with a gastroschisis silo 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant with a giant omphalocele 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant post GI surgery (malrotation, intestinal atresias, 1 2 3 4 5
imperforate anus, primary closure gastro/omphalocele, etc.)
Care of an infant with EA/TEF 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant with a G-tube/GJ-tube 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant with Hirschsprungs disease 1 2 3 4 5
Perform rectal irrigations 1 2 3 4 5
Neurological
Assess neurological system 1 2 3 4 5
Monitor for seizures 1 2 3 4 5
Pre-op/post-op care of an infant with a neural tube defect 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant with hydrocephalus 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant with a hypoxic brain injury (cooling protocol) 1 2 3 4 5
Assist with a lumbar puncture/care of a patient after 1 2 3 4 5

Genitourinary
Assess genitourinary system 1 2 3 4 5
Collect clean catch urine sample 1 2 3 4 5
Obtain a sterile urine specimen 1 2 3 4 5
Insert a foley catheter 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant post circumcision 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant with urostomy tubes 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant with bladder extrophy 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant on peritoneal dialysis 1 2 3 4 5

Hematologic/Immune/Infection
Interpret and report lab results that may indicate a hematological 1 2 3 4 5
condition
Administer blood products 1 2 3 4 5
Interpret and report lab results indicating immune system 1 2 3 4 5
problems
Care for a patient in isolation 1 2 3 4 5

Prematurity
Assess developmental needs of a premature infant and provide 1 2 3 4 5
developmentally supportive care
Care of an infant 24-27 weeks 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant 27-30 weeks 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant 30-34 weeks 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant 34-37 weeks 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant receiving phototherapy 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant receiving an exchange transfusion 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant post PDA ligation 1 2 3 4 5
Assist with surfactant administration 1 2 3 4 5
Administration of Indocin/Ibuprofen and infant monitoring 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant with apnea and bradycardia 1 2 3 4 5
Assist with an eye exam 1 2 3 4 5
Nutrition/Metabolic
Bottle feed an uncompromised infant 1 2 3 4 5
Bottle feed a compromised infant 1 2 3 4 5
Assist with breastfeeding 1 2 3 4 5
Administer NG/OG/GT feeds 1 2 3 4 5
Calculate total fluid intake 1 2 3 4 5

IV Access
Place a peripheral IV 1 2 3 4 5
Central line dressing change 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant with a UAC/UVC, obtain blood samples 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant with a PICC/Broviac/CVL 1 2 3 4 5
Care of an infant with an arterial line, obtain blood samples 1 2 3 4 5

Medications
Safely administer medications using the five rights 1 2 3 4 5
Complete a pain assessment 1 2 3 4 5
Administer oral medications 1 2 3 4 5
Administer IV push medications 1 2 3 4 5
Administer IV infusion medications 1 2 3 4 5
Administer rectal medications 1 2 3 4 5
Administer topical medications 1 2 3 4 5
Administer ophthalmic medications 1 2 3 4 5
Administer IM medications (immunizations) 1 2 3 4 5
Administer SQ medications 1 2 3 4 5
Care for an infant with an epidural 1 2 3 4 5

Clinical Judgment
Conducts accurate clinical assessments 1 2 3 4 5
Identifies and prioritizes patient/family needs 1 2 3 4 5
Develops, implements, and evaluates the nursing plan of care 1 2 3 4 5
Modifies plan to meet established clinical outcomes 1 2 3 4 5
Follows algorithms, decision trees, and protocols 1 2 3 4 5
Integrates formal knowledge with clinical events to make 1 2 3 4 5
decisions
Seeks validation for own clinical decisions 1 2 3 4 5
Integrates input from other clinicians for decision-making 1 2 3 4 5
Delegates tasks/care to appropriate staff and ensures timely 1 2 3 4 5
follow-up

Clinical Inquiry
Asks questions to clarify understanding on current practice 1 2 3 4 5
Selects and follows clinical practice guidelines, protocols and 1 2 3 4 5
algorithms
Supports the implementation of clinical changes and evidence- 1 2 3 4 5
based practices
Participates in quality/performance improvement initiatives 1 2 3 4 5

Caring Practices
Interacts with patients and families in a compassionate and 1 2 3 4 5
humanistic manner, demonstrating empathy, sensitivity and
patience
Maintains a safe and caring environment for both patient and 1 2 3 4 5
family
Manages both emotional and physical pain and promotes comfort 1 2 3 4 5
based on standards and protocols
Develops therapeutic relationship with patient and family and 1 2 3 4 5
maintains appropriate boundaries
Acknowledges that a patient’s clinical outcome may be less than 1 2 3 4 5
optimal

Response to Diversity
Recognizes unique differences of patient and family and 1 2 3 4 5
incorporates them into an individualized plan of care
Delivers care in a nonjudgmental and nondiscriminatory manner 1 2 3 4 5
Assesses patient and family level of understanding to provide 1 2 3 4 5
effective communication
Tailors nursing care to meet the age-specific and developmentally 1 2 3 4 5
appropriate needs of patient and family

Advocacy/Moral Agency
Preserves and protects the confidentiality, autonomy, dignity and 1 2 3 4 5
rights of patient and family
Completes assessments and formulates an individualized plan to 1 2 3 4 5
accurately reflect patient and family values and goals, so they can
be fully represented in care
Works on behalf of all patients and families 1 2 3 4 5
Seeks help to represent patients and families when they are unable 1 2 3 4 5
to represent themselves
Raises ethical questions and concerns with clinical team 1 2 3 4 5
Seeks available resources to help formulate and understand 1 2 3 4 5
ethical decisions

Facilitator of Learning
Integrates patient and family education throughout the delivery of 1 2 3 4 5
care
Helps patients and families learn what they need to successfully 1 2 3 4 5
transition within the heath-care environment
Assesses and then documents the learning needs of patients and 1 2 3 4 5
families
Collaborates with peers in establishing individualized teaching 1 2 3 4 5
plans
Provides patient and family with appropriate information to help 1 2 3 4 5
them participate and/or make informed decisions about their heath
care and treatments, including heath-promotion and disease
prevention
Uses available educational resources within the hospital and 1 2 3 4 5
community for patients and families
Validates and documents patient and family learning 1 2 3 4 5
Shares own knowledge with colleagues 1 2 3 4 5
Identifies personal goals and seeks opportunities to pursue 1 2 3 4 5
professional growth

Collaboration
Functions as a team member and works collaboratively and 1 2 3 4 5
interdependently
Open and sensitive to all team members’ unique contributions 1 2 3 4 5
Uses resources to develop and implement an integrated plan of 1 2 3 4 5
care
Receptive to being taught, coached, and mentored 1 2 3 4 5
Delegates to assistive and other personnel in a manner that 1 2 3 4 5
optimizes patient care

Systems Thinking
Uses a familiar array of strategies and available clinical resources 1 2 3 4 5
for problem-solving
Assumes and active role in keeping informed about changes in 1 2 3 4 5
hospital policy, procedure, and equipment
Recognizes that resources are limited and evaluates factors related 1 2 3 4 5
to safety, effectiveness, and cost when two or more practice
options would result in the same expected outcome

Miscellaneous
Attend at risk deliveries 1 2 3 4 5
CPR certified (date you expire: 8/12/24 ) Yes/No
NRP certified (date you expire: 5/31/24) Yes/No
Care of a dying infant/Bereavement support 1 2 3 4 5