What exactly is "full term"?

kellyrn9956

So from my nursing school days and days working in newborn nursery, I've been used to full term being 36 weeks. Any baby under 36 weeks went to NICU - over 36 could be cared for in regular nursery as long as they were stable.

However, at childbirth class, our teacher told us that it is now 38 weeks and I've seen 38 weeks being thrown around on TB as well. Does that mean that and baby less than 38 weeks would go to NICU or special care nursery, or is that still 36 weeks? I'm confused.