Our most important value is that every baby has the right for the parents to be present to provide love and care. We pioneered family centred care in the NICU in Finland. Parents take care of their baby from the very beginning as much as possible. Parents are welcome to spend as much time as they want with their baby in one of our family rooms, and they can stay overnight. We also have a few rooms available that are separate from the neonatal unit for parents who prefer to sleep there overnight. We call them ‘Moominrooms’.

We practice the ‘Close Collaboration with Parents’ Program. All our staff train in this unique program that aims to change the care culture to include parents as partners in the care of their babies. Our NICU staff observe babies closely together with the parents. This forms the basis of mutual understanding about their baby, and the individual care their baby needs. This gives the parents the knowledge to participate in decision making about their baby as an equal partner with the health care team. We support the parents closely, and encourage a trusting relationship.

We take care of preterm infants, and term newborns who need intensive care for a variety of medical or surgical reasons. Our babies’ length of stay varies from a few days to several months. We have a multi-professional healthcare team, including Physiotherapy, Social work, Cardiology, and many other specialities. Members of the psychological support team (VAVU team = early interaction) are also involved, helping and supporting parents.

Student correspondents

• Outi Eklund
• Maarit Ilvonen
• Noora Lamminen
• Sanna Virtanen
• Marika Huhtamäki

E-mails: firstname.lastname@tyks.fi

Important information for students

Please make sure that your CV is accessible on Jobil.

On your first day, student orientation will take place in the lobby of the children’s clinic (U-hospital, 3rd floor) at eleven o’clock. Please proceed to your ward after the orientation at twelve o’clock.
During your training period, you will have two to three appointed Mentors. Could you please plan your schedule according to their shifts to take full advantage of your learning opportunities. Our nurses work in three shifts. Some nurses work only night shifts; therefore, you should do some night shifts during your training.

Somebody will show you the changing rooms. You get your electronic key from our ward upon signing. Please make sure that you have your VRK-card before your training begins.
During your training, you and your Mentors document your progress in a notebook. When you are not working with your personal Mentor, please ask for written feedback every day to get the most out of your learning.

Please pay attention to your health during your training. Our babies are small and vulnerable and have poor immunity. If you have any signs of an upper respiratory infection, or any feeling of being unwell, please do not enter the NICU, go and see your doctor.
You MUST read our hygiene instructions and check your vaccination status before your training commences.

We expect you to

• be active
• be meticulous
• respect patient confidentiality
• inform us if you cannot attend work

Welcome to our ward!

We encourage parents to take care of their baby as much as possible. Parents are welcome to actively participate in the doctors ward rounds every day.

Please make sure that you are healthy without any signs of an upper respiratory tract infection (coughing, sneezing or having a fever) whilst visiting the NICU.

Siblings are welcome to visit our ward without restrictions if they have no cough or cold. During the Bronchiolitis season, there may well be restrictions for siblings to come and visit, and we will discuss this with you.

Grandparents and other relatives/support persons are welcome to visit the NICU as long as parents have given permission and discussed this with the respective bedside nurse.

Visiting hours

Parents and siblings can visit the unit freely.
Grandparents can visit once a week.
Other visitations need to be arranged separately with the staff.

People in charge

Head of department Liisa Lehtonen, tel. 02 313 0253
Head nurse Elina Hiltunen, tel. 02 313 2508

We are a part of the Tyks operational division of the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.