How to Build a NICU Education Program

Kari Treadway, BSN, RN, RNC-NIC, has dedicated nearly two decades of her career to neonatal intensive care. A nurse at UW Health Northern Illinois, her passion has always been caring for critical newborns, but she recently discovered another calling a few years ago: helping fellow nurses succeed. 

Today, Kari is also a NICU educator and clinical resource who supports teams across labor and delivery, mother-baby care, and throughout the NICU. She leads mock codes, skills days, and other education programs. 

But this wasn’t always her role, and it started because she saw a need.  

Seeing a Need for Change 

“We noticed a lot of inconsistencies, and a lot of our newer staff didn’t feel supported,” she said. 

About two years ago, preceptor assignments at her organization varied widely. Any nurse with a short amount of experience could be assigned to guide a new hire, and while it helped new nurses get oriented, it meant learning experiences could vary widely from one nurse to the next. 

Seeing this, Kari partnered with another nurse to develop a more structured orientation program. After a few tweaks to create a newfound focus on consistency, they brought the idea to leadership. The proposal would have new nurses spend their first eight weeks working with the same designated preceptors, creating a more supportive learning environment and a stronger foundation for success. 

Refining a Powerful Education Process 

Over time, Kari worked to refine the program and its processes. For example, instead of moving directly from one level of orientation to the next, new nurses now spend time independently building confidence in their time management and clinical skills before advancing to more complex patient care. 

“We’ve found having those set preceptors and everybody getting that consistent, same orientation those first eight weeks has definitely helped,” she said. 

For Kari, the program’s success comes from a very important skill: listening to others. 

Management meets regularly with new nurses to gather feedback, and the orientation process continues to evolve based on what nurses need most. That willingness to adapt has helped create a culture where nurses feel supported from day one. 

Kari’s educational role extends beyond orientation. Today, she’s a trusted resource for nurses across the unit. She answers questions, provides guidance, and helps colleagues navigate any number fo challenging situations. 

“I want them to feel comfortable coming to me,” she said. “I might not have all the answers, but I definitely will get the answer for them.” 

Expanding Nurse Education Beyond the NICU 

Her passion for education has even expanded outside the NICU. Kari helps provide training for emergency departments and other mother-baby units at partner locations like UW Belvedere. Many of these teams don’t encounter critical newborns as often, so ongoing education is essential for preparedness.  

“They’re super thankful that we’re there,” she said. “It’s something they don’t do that often, so it’s hard to keep your skill up.” 

Whether she’s teaching neonatal resuscitation, supporting bedside staff, or refining orientation programs, Kari’s focus remains the same: ensuring both nurses and patients receive the support they need. 

Advice for Fellow Nurses 

Her advice for new nurses reflects the philosophy she brings to her work every day: 

“Give yourself some grace. You’re not going to be perfect. You’re going to make mistakes, and that’s okay. Everybody makes mistakes, but you need to own it. Always be honest. Be the best advocate that you can for your patients.” 

For Kari, nursing excellence starts with support, consistency, and a commitment to continuous learning. These qualities, Kari says, will not only make nurses better caregivers but will also improve patient care across the board.  

Thank You 

Kari, we’re so inspired by your love of nursing and your passion for empowering the nurses around you. Nurses like you make entire care teams stronger by imbuing everybody with an extra dose of confidence and compassion.

Your dedication to newborns and their families at UW Northern Illinois, along with your commitment to educating and supporting the next generation of NICU nurses, embodies the very best of nursing leadership. It’s our great honor to recognize you as one of our 2026 Nurses of Note. Congratulations!