Getting Started

Clinical Rotations for Residents

Getting Started

Because the nursery can be such a busy place, it can also be overwhelming. If you are just getting started on your rotation, concentrate on the essential elements first, and use this website as a resource. If in doubt, ask questions. The best educational experience is one that's tailored to fit an individual, so be your own advocate for what you need to learn.

About the Website

The Newborn Nursery website was created in order to enhance your clinical experience. We hope that you will find it to be a useful addition to your rotation.

The Photo Gallery section contains hundreds of photographs and video clips of normal and abnormal findings in newborns as well as audio tracks of common heart murmurs.

The Clinical Guidelines section provides a framework for approaching some of the more commonly encountered problems.

The Breastfeeding section contains photos, videos, and lots of practical tips. (The two breastfeeding videos that are most relevant to your rotation are "A Perfect Latch" and "Hand Expressing Milk". We suggest you watch both early on as the topics covered will frequently be referenced on rounds). The "Newborn Nursery Curriculum" section details the information residents are expected to learn with links to useful references, so use it to measure your educational progress and identify areas you want to strengthen.

The Bottom Line

We recognize that, as residents, you will spend a limited time in the WBN, and the curriculum is packed full of content. While mastery of the curriculum content is the ultimate goal, early on in training it is helpful to focus on some key essentials. So, if you are just getting started, here are the things you need to know to take care of babies in the nursery.

Know the normal ranges

  • vital signs
  • stooling / voiding

Perform a complete, careful physical examination

  • differentiate "sick" from "well"
  • know the common rashes, birthmarks, reflexes

Understand jaundice

  • what it is, how to explain it to parents
  • how to assess risk and need for treatment

Understand normal breastfeeding

  • how to get a baby latched on
  • determining "adequate" from "insufficient" supply
  • hand expressing milk