Neonatal Resucitation Program

The Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) was originally known as Neonatal Advanced Life Support (NALS). This program has been endorsed by the Canadian Paediatric Society and the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada.

The National Guidelines on Neonatal Resuscitation recommend that a minimum of one person skilled in basic neonatal life support be present at every delivery. The purpose of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program is to fulfil this goal. The program is recommended for all health professionals practicing within a centre that provides obstetrical care.

The Provider course is a modular program based on self-learning, didactic teaching and, most importantly, skills training. It is offered in a one-day workshop format. Before commencing the course, it is essential that the Provider Textbook be studied in detail. The course develops and clarifies the information in the manual. The course includes time for participants to practice the skills outlined in the manual, under the guidance of the instructor. Testing consists of a written test for each lesson and a practical demonstration of skills where indicated. At the end of the course, participants are asked to demonstrate all skills in the appropriate sequence, and to show how they would deal with problems in resuscitation, in a mock delivery situation or "Megacode".

NRP Provider registration requires successful completion of the program and the name of each successful participant is registered with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia and an NRP Provider card is issued.