Essentials of Neonatal Critical Care Orientation (ENCCO) is designed to provide foundational nursing education on caring for neonatal patients. The program imparts valuable knowledge and tools needed to care for babies in the newborn nursery and critically ill patients in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
ENCCO is an online course featuring up-to-date, evidence-based and standardized education. Learners are immersed in an integrated blended learning environment featuring rich illustrations, interactive case scenarios and practice activities that enhance knowledge transfer and retention.
Upon completing this course, learners will be able to:
1Evaluate assessment data and implement a plan of care using evidence-based strategies specific to the neonate.
2Demonstrate knowledge of common conditions experienced by neonatal patients.
3Evaluate the effectiveness of the plan of care for critically ill neonatal patients.
Learn more about pricing for individuals and institutions, and how to place an order.
Pediatric Learning Solutions prepares new and transitioning staff for the complexities of caring for children. A product of Children’s Hospital Association, this program provides evidence-based, engaging online training for onboarding pediatric and neonatal nurses, respiratory therapists and other neonatal clinicians. New hires gain required knowledge more quickly through application-focused case scenarios and just-in-time job aids, improving their confidence, quality of care and time to productivity. Content is reviewed on a regular cycle, ensuring current and relevant evidence guides clinician practice.
Course Content
The content is developed in collaboration with clinical content experts and Pediatric Learning Solutions (a product of Children’s Hospital Association) to advance neonatal nursing education. The modules are divided into six units that cover Patient Care, Respiratory Care, Infectious Diseases and Management, Neurology, Endocrine and Neonatal Vascular Access.
Review Course ContentCE Hours Earned
16.5 CNE or 5 CRCE contact hours
CNE and CRCE Expire Dec. 31, 2025
Who is ENCCO designed for?
ENCCO is ideal for new and transitioning neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses. This neonatal orientation program supports nurses caring for neonatal patients in NICUs, newborn nurseries and transitional care units. It also benefits respiratory therapists and other clinicians seeking foundational neonatal education online.
What topics are covered in the ENCCO course?
The course includes six modules on patient care, respiratory care, infectious diseases, neurology, metabolic function and disorders, and neonatal vascular access. Learners gain neonatal care skills to assess and respond to common conditions seen in critically ill newborns. These topics support both NICU nurse training and broader neonatal nursing CE goals.
What makes ENCCO different from other neonatal training programs?
Through effective knowledge transfer, ENCCO features evidence-based neonatal care to equip nurses with the knowledge and skills to respond to clinical conditions and potential complications. Additional suggested learning activities blend learning environments with hands-on, precepted opportunities, incorporating critical thinking into real-time clinical practice in neonatal critical care.
How long is the course, and what CE hours are available?
Nurses can earn up to 16.5 CNE contact hours, and respiratory therapists can receive 5 CRCE hours. These credits contribute to neonatal nursing certification and meet continuing education standards for professional development.
Is ENCCO appropriate for individual nurses and institutions?
Yes. The online neonatal critical care training course is available for purchase by individuals and institutions. Individual nurses can advance their skills, while healthcare systems can incorporate ENCCO into structured NICU nurse onboarding. A free 14-day trial is available for hospitals and other institutions.
Can ENCCO be used to onboard new NICU staff?
Yes. ENCCO was designed as a comprehensive neonatal nursing course to support orientation and team-based education. It helps standardize training, reduce variability and strengthen new nurses' readiness to work in NICU clinical environments.
How do I access or purchase the course?
Individuals can buy directly online, while institutions can request a cost estimate, enroll in the 14-day free trial, or integrate the course into broader NICU nurse training programs via AACN's institutional offerings.
Accreditation and Disclosures
In support of improving patient care, Children’s Hospital Association is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Successful Completion
Learners must complete the post-test and CNE or CRCE evaluation associated with each lesson to be awarded contact hours.