CHANNGE: A Professional Practice Model for Neonatal Nurse Practitioners who Provide Short-Term Humanitarian Aid in Low-to-Middle Income Countries

Abstract

Millions of neonates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are dying from preventable and treatable causes. Experts at the United Nations, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have identified interventions to improve outcomes, but the lack of skilled providers hinders progress. Professional Practice Models (PPMs) for volunteer neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) providing humanitarian assistance in LMICs may provide structure, consistency, and foster an environment of education to elevate practice quality for in-country neonatal health providers. The Culturally-sensitive, Holistic, Advanced Neonatal Nurse, Global, Educator (CHANNGE) model was designed to serve that purpose. An implementation plan, including a role description, explanation of scope of practice, and exemplars will aid in clarification of focus and benefit of the NNP to the LMIC environment. These products may provide the support for NNPs to establish themselves in order to utilize their advanced practice skills to best contribute to goals identified by world health experts and in-country leaders.