Resuscitation Council UK | One-Day Provider Course

Develop the knowledge, practical skills and confidence required to assess and resuscitate a newborn infant during the critical first minutes after birth.

The Resuscitation Council UK Newborn Life Support (NLS) course is a one-day, practical provider course for healthcare professionals involved in the delivery and care of newborn infants.

The course focuses specifically on the newborn who requires assistance at birth and teaches candidates how to recognise poor condition, support breathing, manage the airway and initiate effective newborn resuscitation in a structured and systematic way.

NLS has been delivered since 1999 and is undertaken by thousands of healthcare professionals each year. It is particularly relevant to clinicians working in maternity, neonatal, paediatric, emergency and pre-hospital environments. (resus.org.uk)

Who Is This Course For?

The NLS course is designed for healthcare professionals who are regularly involved in the delivery or immediate care of newborn infants.

This includes:

• Paediatric doctors

• Neonatal doctors

• Obstetric doctors

• Anaesthetists

• Emergency Medicine doctors

• Foundation and specialty trainees

• Midwives

• Neonatal nurses

• Paediatric nurses

• Advanced neonatal nurse practitioners

• Paramedics

• Resuscitation officers

• Other eligible healthcare professionals involved in newborn care

Candidates must hold a professional healthcare qualification or be training toward an appropriate healthcare qualification. (resus.org.uk)

What You Will Learn

The course develops a structured approach to the newborn infant who requires assistance immediately after birth.

Candidates learn how to:

• Assess the newborn infant rapidly

• Recognise when intervention is required

• Understand the causes of apnoea, bradycardia and poor condition at birth

• Maintain temperature and minimise heat loss

• Position and open the newborn airway

• Provide effective airway support

• Deliver appropriate inflation and ventilation breaths

• Assess the effectiveness of ventilation

• Recognise improvement or deterioration

• Perform chest compressions when indicated

• Coordinate ventilation and compressions

• Understand the role of oxygen during newborn resuscitation

• Recognise when advanced assistance is required

• Communicate effectively within the resuscitation team

• Reassess continuously during resuscitation

• Stabilise the newborn after successful initial resuscitation

The First Minutes After Birth

The first few minutes after delivery can be critical for an infant who does not establish effective breathing.

Candidates learn to approach the newborn systematically and prioritise:

1. Temperature control

2. Airway positioning

3. Assessment of breathing

4. Assessment of heart rate

5. Lung inflation and ventilation

6. Reassessment

7. Chest compressions and further intervention where required

The course helps candidates understand that effective ventilation is central to successful newborn resuscitation.

Understanding Newborn Physiology

Candidates review the physiological transition from intrauterine to extrauterine life and how problems during this transition can result in:

• Apnoea

• Bradycardia

• Poor respiratory effort

• Cyanosis

• Reduced tone

• Cardiovascular compromise

Understanding these principles helps candidates recognise why newborn resuscitation differs from adult and paediatric life support.

Airway Management and Ventilation

Airway management forms a major part of the NLS course.

Candidates practise:

• Correct head positioning

• Opening the airway

• Mask positioning

• Appropriate mask seal

• Inflation breaths

• Positive-pressure ventilation

• Recognising effective chest movement

• Correcting ineffective ventilation

• Reassessing heart rate after intervention

A structured approach to airway troubleshooting is emphasised throughout the course.

Chest Compressions

Candidates learn when chest compressions are indicated and how they should be coordinated with ventilation.

Practical training includes:

• Appropriate hand position

• Correct compression technique

• Compression depth

• Compression-to-ventilation coordination

• Reassessment of heart rate

• Recognition of response to treatment

Teamwork and Communication

Newborn resuscitation often requires effective multidisciplinary working.

Candidates practise:

• Clear communication

• Allocation of tasks

• Calling for additional help

• Sharing clinical findings

• Coordinating airway and circulatory interventions

• Maintaining situational awareness

• Structured reassessment

• Safe handover following stabilisation

Course Structure

NLS is delivered as a one-day face-to-face course at an approved Resuscitation Council UK course centre.

The programme includes:

• Lectures

• Practical skill stations

• Airway training

• Ventilation practice

• Newborn resuscitation simulations

• Team-based scenarios

• Instructor feedback

• Formal practical assessment

The emphasis is on applying the NLS approach in realistic simulated emergencies rather than classroom learning alone. (resus.org.uk)

Pre-Course Preparation

Candidates receive the official NLS manual in advance of the course and are expected to prepare thoroughly before attending.

Resuscitation Council UK currently advises that candidates receive the manual approximately one month before the course.

Candidates should:

• Read the NLS manual

• Review newborn resuscitation principles

• Complete the required online MCQ paper

• Familiarise themselves with the NLS algorithm

• Arrive prepared to participate fully in practical teaching and assessment

Early booking is strongly recommended because adequate preparation is an important part of the course. (resus.org.uk)

Assessment

The NLS course includes a formal practical assessment focused on essential newborn airway management skills.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate that they can:

• Assess the newborn appropriately

• Position and manage the airway

• Deliver effective ventilatory support

• Recognise whether ventilation is working

• Correct ineffective ventilation

• Apply the structured newborn life support approach safely

Booking and attendance do not automatically guarantee successful completion.

Certification

Successful candidates receive a Resuscitation Council UK NLS Provider certificate, valid for four years. (resus.org.uk)

The course is also recognised for continuing professional development by relevant Medical, Dental and Nursing Royal Colleges and the Health and Care Professions Council, subject to the requirements of the individual professional body. RCUK currently lists 5 CPD points for NLS provider-course candidates. (resus.org.uk)

NLS and Recertification

The full NLS Provider course is the appropriate initial course for candidates who have not previously completed NLS or whose previous certification falls outside the current recertification eligibility window.

Resuscitation Council UK also offers a separate NLS Recertification course for eligible experienced clinicians who already hold, or have recently held, an NLS Provider certificate. (resus.org.uk)

Why Complete NLS?

NLS may be particularly valuable for healthcare professionals who want to:

• Improve confidence during newborn emergencies

• Develop a structured neonatal resuscitation approach

• Strengthen airway and ventilation skills

• Improve recognition of newborn deterioration

• Practise newborn resuscitation before encountering it clinically

• Develop multidisciplinary teamwork skills

• Meet relevant training or employment requirements

• Strengthen a paediatric, neonatal, maternity or acute-care professional portfolio

Why Train With PLAB Guide Training Centre?

PLAB Guide Training Centre provides a professional, supportive and simulation-focused learning environment for healthcare professionals.

Candidates benefit from:

• Experienced newborn resuscitation faculty

• Practical airway and ventilation training

• Newborn resuscitation manikins

• Realistic simulation scenarios

• Small-group practical learning

• Structured instructor feedback

• Modern training facilities

• A supportive learning environment

• Free dedicated parking

• Free on-road parking nearby

• Convenient access by road and public transport

• A Manchester training location

Our aim is to help candidates understand the principles behind newborn resuscitation and apply them confidently in a structured manner during a real emergency.

Book Your NLS Course in Manchester

Develop the skills required to assess, ventilate and resuscitate a newborn infant during the critical first minutes after birth.

Book your Resuscitation Council UK Newborn Life Support (NLS) course in Manchester with PLAB Guide Training Centre.

Early booking is strongly recommended to allow sufficient time for registration, receipt of the official NLS manual and completion of the required pre-course preparation.