Maternal-Newborn Nursing (NURS 30010)
Competencies: Skills gained in course
- The use and application of nursing theory and the nursing process in clinical practice for patients with varying ages, developmental stages, cultural backgrounds, beliefs and values
- Application of nursing research and the nursing process in maternal-newborn nursing
- Fetal development
- Stages of labor and delivery
- Fetal monitoring
- Postpartum care of mother and newborn
- Care of the newborn
- Newborn nutrition and breastfeeding
- Maternal nutrition and weight
- High risk pregnancy and possible complications
- Adolescent pregnancy
- Advanced maternal age
- High risk labor and delivery
- High risk postpartum
- Grief and loss
- High risk newborn and possible complications
- Menstrual cycle
- Infertility
- Fertility, contraception, and birth control education
- Nursing Care related to infections
- Parental bonding and attachment to neonate
- Substance abuse and violence
Personal Reflection: What did you gain from course?
Personally,
in this class the concept of each patient as an individual was
reinforced. The nurse's role in education was reinforced for me as well.
Educating the patient empowers each individual to take charge of their
health and their treatment. I gained knowledge about all parts of
pregnancy and became more knowledgeable about the care of women in
general. The importance of assessment and reflective listening was
reinforced. I learned more about the significance of anticipating
potential complications for each and every patient. I learned about the
emphasis on health promotion in maternal-newborn nursing. Most of the
patients are considered "healthy" and are treated as independent
individuals. I gained the knowledge of the importance of individualizing
patient care and making a patient's hospital experience not just
tolerable but enjoyable and personable.
Patient Teaching
Throughout
this semester, I have tried to teach my patient at least one thing per
day and more, if tolerated. I have taught my patients about:
- Umbilical cord care of the infant
- Circumcision care of the infant
- Purpose of lochia and/or progression or process of lochia
- The importance of completely emptying the bladder after delivery
- Normal neonate weight loss and gain
- Signs and symptoms of deep vein thrombosis
- Signs of postpartum hemorrhage
- Importance of activity after Cesarean delivery
- Signs of postpartum blues and depression
- Importance of effective and consistent hand washing
- Prevention of deep vein thrombosis
- Swaddling of infant
- Signs of respiratory distress in the newborn
- Pain management postpartum
