The issue of nurse education and training in the context of providing a high-quality service for sick and small babies and their families is a paramount concern. As part of a large-scale study of neonatal nursing in the United Kingdom, data were collected on nurses' educational background, professional qualifications, experience, orientation, appraisal and update. The results reveal a qualification in specialty (QIS) rate for trained nurses of 53% and large variation not directly related to size or type of unit. The proportion of nurses having appraisal interviews (47% in the last year) and professional development plans (19%) was low and a clear gap existed between policy and practice. The implications of the findings are discussed and the need for management training, targeting of neonatal units with low QIS rates, and more flexible education programmes are emphasized.
