Course Information
The ACES Neonatal Resuscitation with Advanced Life Support (NRwALS)Course prepares healthcare professionals to recognise, assess, and manage neonatal emergencies using a structured, evidence-based approach. Developed by an international faculty of neonatal, paediatric, emergency medicine, and critical care experts from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, the course combines contemporary resuscitation science with practical, multidisciplinary education designed for real-world clinical practice.
Delivered through a blended learning model, participants complete pre-course eLearning and access an online course manual before attending a full day of face-to-face training. The programme incorporates lectures, video demonstrations, practical skill stations, workshops, and high-fidelity simulation scenarios covering neonatal assessment, airway management, ventilation, chest compressions, vascular access, medication administration, preterm birth, and post-resuscitation stabilisation. The use of resuscitaires in the course increases the fidelity of the training.
The course focuses equally on technical and non-technical skills. Participants develop competence in neonatal resuscitation algorithms whilst strengthening clinical decision-making, communication, leadership, teamwork, and human factors. Through repeated hands-on practice and immersive multidisciplinary simulations, learners build the confidence required to manage both common and complex neonatal emergencies safely and effectively.
Suitable for doctors, midwives, nurses, neonatal clinicians and paediatric practitioners the NRwALS Course is designed to improve clinical performance during the critical first minutes after birth. The programme emphasises the link between clinical reasoning, teamwork, and structured intervention, ensuring safer and more consistent neonatal care across delivery suites and maternity units.
By combining international expertise, evidence-based education, practical skills training, and high-fidelity simulation, the ACES Neonatal Resuscitation with Advanced Life Support (NRwALS) Course provides a comprehensive foundation for clinicians responsible for the care of newborn infants during resuscitation and stabilisation.
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Learning Outcomes For The Neonatal Resuscitation with Advanced Life Support (NRwALS) Course
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Recognise newborn infants who require assessment, support, or resuscitation immediately after birth.
- Apply a structured approach to neonatal assessment and intervention using current evidence-based neonatal resuscitation principles.
- Demonstrate safe and effective airway management, positive pressure ventilation, and oxygen therapy in the newly born infant.
- Perform high-quality neonatal chest compressions and integrate compressions appropriately with ventilation.
- Establish emergency vascular access and administer neonatal resuscitation medications safely.
- Manage common neonatal emergencies including respiratory compromise, cardiovascular instability, and complications associated with preterm birth.
- Demonstrate effective leadership, communication, situational awareness, and teamwork during neonatal emergencies.
- Reflect on clinical performance, human factors, and decision-making processes following neonatal resuscitation events.
Why This Course Stands Out
Many healthcare professionals complete generic life-support training; however, neonatal resuscitation presents unique physiological, technical, and human factors challenges that differ substantially from paediatric and adult practice.
The ACES Neonatal Resuscitation with Advanced Life Support (NRwALS) Course bridges this gap by focusing specifically on the newborn infant and the multidisciplinary teams responsible for care in delivery suites, maternity units, operating theatres, neonatal units, and emergency departments.
The course emphasises the integration of clinical assessment, technical skill, communication, and teamwork. Participants repeatedly practise neonatal resuscitation techniques in realistic environments using dedicated neonatal equipment and resuscitaires, allowing them to build competence and confidence before encountering real-life emergencies.
By combining international expertise, evidence-based practice, and high-fidelity simulation, the programme prepares clinicians to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care when every second matters.
Framework for the Course
The course, and subsequent clinical practice, is structured around a four-step framework:
Prepare → Assess → Resuscitate → Stabilise
- Prepare for neonatal emergencies through anticipation, equipment checks, team briefing, and role allocation.
- Assess the newborn infant using a structured approach to determine the need for intervention and ongoing support.
- Resuscitate using evidence-based neonatal life support techniques including airway management, ventilation, chest compressions, vascular access, and medication administration.
- Stabilise the infant through ongoing assessment, post-resuscitation management, communication, documentation, and team debriefing.
Course Structure (1 Day)
The ACES Neonatal Resuscitation with Advanced Life Support (NRwALS) Course is delivered as a structured one-day programme combining pre-course preparation, practical skills training, workshops, and immersive simulation.
Duration and Format
- Blended learning model comprising pre-course eLearning, an online course manual, and a full day of face-to-face education.
- Participants are expected to complete all eLearning components prior to attending the course.
Course Components
- Welcome and Introduction
- Resuscitation at Birth: Principles and Physiology
- Video Demonstration of Neonatal Resuscitation
- Airway Management and Pulse Oximetry Skills
- Resuscitaire Operation and Chest Compression Skills
- Vascular Access and Emergency Drug Administration
- Preterm Birth Workshop
- High-Fidelity Simulation Scenarios
- Optional Advanced Workshops
- Human Factors, Debriefing, and Clinical Reflection
- Course Closure and Certification
Assessment
- Continuous formative assessment occurs throughout the course.
- Faculty assess participants during skills stations, workshops, and simulation activities.
- Additional assessment is available for participants who require further demonstration of competence.
- Certification is awarded following successful completion of the programme and remains valid for three years.
Target Audience
The ACES Neonatal Resuscitation with Advanced Life Support (NRwALS) Course is designed for healthcare professionals who may be required to assess, resuscitate, stabilise, or provide ongoing care to newborn infants.
The programme is suitable for doctors, midwives, nurses, neonatal clinicians, paediatric practitioners, paramedics, and other healthcare professionals involved in perinatal and neonatal care.
Participants should be prepared to engage actively in practical skills training, multidisciplinary simulations, and facilitated debriefing sessions designed to enhance both technical and non-technical performance during neonatal emergencies.
Australian Clinical Education Services (ACES)
