Today’s episode confronts a sobering reality: neonates are often an afterthought in drug development. Join leading experts Mary Short, Dr. Wakako Eklund, and Dr. Kanwaljit Singh as they shine a light on the critical gaps in neonatal drug research and what it means for nurses and APRNs at the bedside.  You will learn why most medications used in the NICU are not specifically designed for newborns, how off-label use puts our most vulnerable patients at risk, and why FDA-approved, age-appropriate formulations are essential for safe and effective care. More importantly, we explore the crucial role that neonatal nurses play in this space, including the assurance of medication safety, influence of clinical trials and policy, and importance of parent education.  Whether you recently learned about neonatal drug development or are ready to step into advocacy, this episode offers practical guidance on how to get involved and grow your impact through collaboration, storytelling, and leadership.  Note that free CEU is available through NANN’s iLearn platform: “Bridging the Gap: Empowering Neonatal Nurses in Drug Development for Neonates.”