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Our smallest patients
Challenging and rewarding – Q & A with NICU nurse Seona Emanuelli
By Arshmah Jamal
In 2021 , over 300,000 babies were born in Australia , with 17 per cent requiring admission to a special care nursery ( SCN ) or neonatal intensive care unit ( NICU ).
Despite only making up two per cent of the nursing workforce , the number of NICU nurses has grown since 2016 , with an increase of 55 per cent .
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To honour the babies born prematurely or sick , Life ’ s Little Treasures Foundation ( LLTF ) hosts an annual walk to fundraise for families needing support – Walk for Prems .
Since it started 14 years ago , Walk for Prems has raised $ 3.8m without government support . This year ’ s walk in October raised over $ 500,000 .
NICU nurse and chair of LLTF Seona Emanuelli , said the walk was important , especially with the current cost-of-living crisis .
“ The funds raised will go towards providing families with practical support through items such as fuel , accommodation and food vouchers , breakfast boxes during their hospital stay and emotional support , by ensuring we can host in-hospital morning teas and our online NICU Connections parent support groups ,” she said .
Aged Care Insite spoke with Ms Emanuelli about her work as a NICU nurse and the importance of LLTF .
ACI : What is it like being a NICU nurse ? SE : Most days are challenging but completely rewarding . I have been in neonatal care since 1998 in various