History and development of nurse-midwifery education in Utah, 1965-1985

The Master of Science in Nursing, Parent-Child Program, Nurse Midwifery tract at the University of Utah was established in 1965. A review of relevant literature, written communications and extensive interviews with 13 faculty and graduates of the program reveals the following ingredients for its success. Aggressive development of clinical sites appears crucial to a strong nurse-midwifery programs. Early difficulties was maintaining suitable clinical sites at the University of Utah were overcome by tenacious faculty and adaptive, assertive students. Curriculum had to keep pace with the expanding nurse-midwifery practice scope as well as unforeseen changes in the availability of clinical sites. Concomitant with these efforts faculty and graduate of the nurse-midwifery program lobbied effectively for state legislative reform; this allowed expanded employment opportunities, increased professional autonomy and the added benefit of more clinical sites for student as new graduates were able to initiate a variety of clinical sites in Utah. Other contribution factors included increased federal funding for nursing programs and a supportive administration. No areas of the program were evaluated as being conspicuously weak from the interviews, although concern about faculty turnover and the hiring of University of Utah graduates was expressed. Curricular shortcomings are inevitable in hindsight, and the graduate interviewed lamented the paucity of elective credits and the lack of instruction in areas such as establishing a practice, education theory and methods and public relations. The program has had a last impact on obstetric/gynecologic nursing and medical care in the region and through the continuing efforts of both faculty and graduates will continue to shape the course of nurse-midwifery practice in the United States.