NRP vs PALS?

No. It doesn't. NRP content is very different -- geared for neonates and delivery room care.

You can research the NRP programme on the American Academy of Paediatrics website. NRP is broken into modules that focus on different topics. You can expect to discuss congenital defects and special management such as meconium aspiration and so on in the NRP course. The didactic portion can be completed online for about $30.00 or so and then you need only to find an instructor to validate your skills performance.

Meconium, LBW and premature handling specifics, UVC access, ethical issues for termination of resuscitation and viability to name a few.

off the top of my head, I think the ratios are different for breaths, compressions. For NRP vs Pals (simply because of the age differences for the patients)

NRP is geared for the neonate - a fresh to extra-uterine life baby. I'm sure you would still use some PALS training, but for the most part, it's 4 steps. Asses, Supp 02, PP Vent, and then PP Vent with compressions, Epi/fluids.

The algorithm is much shorter

A few examples:

There is a big difference in things like the ratio compressions to ventilations (3:1 for the neonate) and the rate for assisted ventilation (40-60/min).

PALS also doesn't emphasize differences between self-inflating BVM's (like the standard Ambu bags) and flow-inflating bags ("anesthesia bags"), both of which are in common use in delivery and neonatal settings.

Actually, you don't talk about management of the newly-born infant in the delivery room at all in PALS. A very common and very important scenario in the delivery room involves managing the meconium-stained infant. (The steps are much different depending on whether the infant is vigorous or not at delivery.) PALS would not discuss that at all.

PALS also doesn't cover any of the skills required to manage preterm neonates or babies with congenital anomalies. You won't talk about the essential steps in helping to thermoregulate a preemie (use of the radiant warmer and/or plastic bag). You won't learn the one critical exception to that rule that you should always bag-mask ventilate before intubation.

I teach both classes, love both classes and advocate for both classes. I think each class has a wealth of valuable information. PALS would definitely help build your confidence in resuscitating infants outside of the L&D setting, but it's not even a starting point for someone who would perform neonatal resuscitation as a job requirement.

(Oops... The last several posts didn't pop up for me before I posted. Sorry to be redundant!)

Pals is pediactric babies (not newborn), toddler, children,.....NRP is neonate/newborn, premie....delivery room stuff.....check the website.

Depending on the field you're looking to enter, both may be recommended. In the ED, we require PALS only but staff are welcome to (and encouraged to) pursue NRP.

OUr Pedi and Nursery nurses float between units sometimes. They must have BOTH PALS and NRP.