Newborn Critical Care (Clinical Elective)

2 units

This elective will take place in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and will provide valuable exposure to neonatal care for future pediatric providers. Students will join one of the acute care NICU teams consisting of an attending, fellow, resident, nurse practitioners, dietician, pharmacist, and discharge coordinator. They will follow 3-5 patients under the direct supervision of their resident, fellow, and attending, participating in formulation of diagnostic and treatment plans, coordination of care, and communication with families. Throughout the rotation, students will broaden their understanding of pathophysiology as it relates to the transition from fetal to neonatal life, and in common neonatal disease processes. There will be emphasis on improving clinical problem-solving skills, communication within the team, as well as with ancillary staff and families.