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Show , ,· UNIVERSITY OF trrAH COLLEGE OF NURSING GRADUATE PROGRAM IN MATERNAL AND CHILD NURSING The members of the maternal child nursing graduate committee subscribe to the philosophy, purpose, aims and objectives of the graduate program of the College of Nursing. The following statements further delineate the philosophy and purpose as they relate to the faculty's beliefs concerning maternal and child nursing and the graduate programs in nursing at the University of Utah. Philosophy Maternal and child care nursing is based upon a philosophy of care which encompasses the family-centered approach and includes consideration of all the family members-•father, mother, and children. It deals with a cycle of development from infancy through adulthood, and through marriage, conception, pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum period and again to the infancy period of the life cycle. In order to understand one phase of this developmental cycle thoroughly, the nurse needs to have an understanding of all the component phases. The student who plans to become an expert clinician in the care of children needs to know what happens during the maternity cycle before the child is born, just as the student who plans to become an expert practitioner in maternity nursing needs to know what happens to the infant after delivery and during the growth and development periods. In order to function as an expert practitioner in the field of maternal and child nursing, the individual needs to consder both the bodily needs of her patients and their psycholoaical requirements and idiosyncratic preferences, as well as their cultural and socio-economic status. Parent education, rooming in, various modifications of natural childbirth and relaxed visit£•g,hours have caused attention to focus on all members of the family unit, and an understanding of the family constellation in modern American culture is essential if the nurse ts to assist the individual in strengthening his attachment to the social system in his community. Prevention and control of disease and disability, as well as the pr~9tion of health are concerns of the nurse in maternal and child care. Home visits to selected patients, participation community health projects, and familiarity with and participation in community organizations for the welfare of families are all part of her functions. ,n The nurse who will be primarily concerned with the child will be cognizant that the sick child in the hospital is, first of all, a child with certain developmental characteristics and needs. Second, that he is a child whose well being has been disturbed, namely, through illness. Third, that he has a special kind of illness and problems of adjustment to hospitalization. Therefore, the nurse needs to have a thorough knowledge of the growth and development of the child before she can plan for nursing intervention. __J_,__' -2- In relation to the University of Utah program in maternal and child nursing, the faculty also subscribe to the beliefs that: I. Expert clinical competence is a major prerequisite to effective nursing care, teaching, supervision and/or consultation. 11. The effective use of self is the most valuable tool the nurse has in helping others. III. Learning is best accomplished by direct, meaningful experiences in which the learner can be actively involved. IV. The privilege of having specialized knowledge, skills and judgment carries with it the follot.Ying responsibilities: A. To use them in every way feasible for the benefit of the individual as well as the family and society. B. To maintain them at a high level of efficiency and add to them when possible. C. To teach them to others so that their usefulness may be continuous and extended to an ever widening circle. Purpose The purpose of the graduate program in maternal and child nursing is to facilitate the efforts of the student to develop the knowledge, skill and judgment requisite to effective expert practice (1) as a clinical specialist in either maternal and newborn nursing or nursing of children, and (2) as a teacher, supervisor or consultant in the chosen specialty area. Major Objectives of the Maternal and Newborn Ma1or I. Theory A. Knowledge of principles underlying: 1. 2. 3. 4. S. Promotion and management of the normal childbearing process. Prevention of deviations from the normal. Recognition of deviations from the normal. Treatment and management of deviations from the normal. Communication, consultation and collaboration. B. Knowledge of put and current trends in obstetrics and related fields as they influence patterns of maternity care. C. Knowledge of comgaunity, state, natlonal and international resources for providing comprehensive care to childbearing families. . -3- II. Practice A. Accurate evaluation of the clinical status of the mother in any period of the maternity cycle as well as of the neonate. 1. 2. 3. Recognition and evaluation of the normal. Recognition and evaluation of deviations from the normal. Recognition and evaluation of progress. B. Comprehensive family-centered nursing care throughout the maternity cycle. 1. Promotion of the normal childbearing process. 2. Preparation of individuals and groups for safe, satisfying childbirth and parenthood experiences. 3. Safe and effective administration of selected emergency measures when appropriate. C. Effective communication with others. D. Collaboration and consultation with other professionals in planning for and administering safe, satisfying and effective maternal and newborn care. E. Supervision and teaching of others to give comprehensive familycentered nursing care. Gl7 .• |
