Course Overview
The Neonatal Resuscitation Program was developed by the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics to teach an evidence-based approach to newborn care.
The NRP course covers the care of newborns at birth and facilitates effective team-based strategy for healthcare professionals who care for newborn at birth and facilitates effective team-based care for healthcare professionals who care for newborns at the time of delivery. NRP utilizes a blended learning approach, which includes online testing, online case-based simulations, and hands-on case-based simulation/debriefing that focus on critical leadership, communication, and team-work skills.
Completion of the program does not imply that an individual has the competence to perform neonatal resuscitation. Each hospital is responsible for determining the level of competence and qualifications required for someone to assume clinical responsibility for neonatal resuscitation.
This course is intended for
- Healthcare providers who either direct or participate in any aspect of patient care during neonatal resuscitations.
- Candidates must be healthcare providers (medical, nursing and paramedical allied health professionals) whose daily occupations demand proficiency in neonatal delivery room resuscitation.
The Neonatal Resuscitation Program is based on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care of the Neonate.
Suggested text and learning
The NRP course format requires learners to study the material from the Textbook of Neonatal Resuscitation and take an online examination before attending the NRP course. Learners attend an interactive course that includes little or no lecture about textbook contents. Course time is used for skill stations and supervised practice, and uses simulation and debriefing as an important part of the learning experience.
Prior to the course, participants must read the Textbook of Neonatal Resuscitation, 7th Edition and pass the NRP online examination, for lessons 1 through 9.
Participants must purchase their own books and online examination per AHA policy. Manualsis available for purchase at the American Academy of Pediatrics and Amazon.
Online Examination
Bring your online examination verification to the NRP course. Participants may complete the exam by visiting www2.aap.org/nrp/ and then click on NRP exam. Upon registration, detailed directions to access the NRP online examination will be sent to course participants. The NRP online examination must be taken no more than 30 days prior to course date. Participants must finish testing within 14 days of their original start date of the online exam.
If the online exam is completed more than 30 days before course date, the examination is invalid and course participant must pay to take it again. Successful completion of the NRP Provider Course requires that the learner pass the online NRP examination, complete the Integrated Skills Station, and participate in the Simulation and Debriefing component of the course.
Not everyone who takes an NRP course is required to study material from all 9 lessons in the Textbook of Neonatal Resuscitation, 6th Edition. Depending on job responsibilities, learners may choose to take the comprehensive course (Lessons 1 through 9) or Lessons 1 through 4 and 9, which is the minimum requirement for completion of the Provider Course.


