I. Course Title: Nursing of the Childbearing Family
II. Course Number: NURS 366
III. Credit Hours: 5 credits
IV. Prerequisites: NURS 340, NURS 345, NURS 352, NURS 368
V. Course Description:
In-depth consideration of the childbearing phase of the lifecycle with application
of theory through nursing care of clients and their families related to childbearing.
VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:
The objectives and content of this Level 2 Course are derived from the School of Nursing鈥檚
philosophy and conceptual framework, and facilitate achievement of the School鈥檚 program
objectives as well as the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education (AACN). Additionally,
the major topics and skills covered in this course represent content covered on standardized
achievement examinations and the NCLEX-RN Test Plan. Current research and advancement
in theory and clinical practice also determine content.
Topical Outline:
1. Choice in Childbearing Decisions: Promoting and Protecting Reproductive Health
a. Contraception
b. Fertility planned and unplanned
c. Issues regarding reproductive choice
d. Infertility
2. Pregnancy Achieved: Nursing Interventions to Promote and Protect Health
a. Development of the maternal-fetal unit
b. Pregnancy from a fetal perspective
c. Pregnancy from a maternal perspective
d. Pregnancy from a family perspective
3. Childbirth
a. Labor and birth
b. Nursing measures to promote and protect health
c. Immediate care of the newborn
4. Parents and Newborn Postpartum: Promoting and Protecting Health
a. The developing family
b. The newborn
c. Maternal recovery from pregnancy and birth
d. Prevention, identification and reporting of abuse and neglect within families
5. Childbearing Family: Restoring Health
a. Reproductive risk: Achieving pregnancy
b. Reproductive risk: Pregnancy
c. Reproductive risk: Labor and birth
d. Reproductive risk: Postpartum
e. Reproductive risk: The sick newborn
VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:
The following teaching strategies will be employed but not limited to: Readings, lecture/discussion,
case studies, group work, written assignments, and a variety of clinical experiences.
VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Apply knowledge of historical, social and cultural factors to the care of diverse
populations in the maternal/newborn area.
2. Provide nursing care of mothers and newborns based on evidence that contributes
to safe and high quality patient outcomes within healthcare and assumes accountability
for personal and professional behaviors.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic elements of the research process and
models for applying evidence to maternal newborn clinical practice.
4. Demonstrate skill in using patient care technologies, information systems and communication
devices that support safe maternal newborn nursing practice.
5. Promote safe and cost-effective care within the legal and ethical scope of professional
nursing practice with maternal newborn populations.
6. Utilize written, verbal, nonverbal and emerging technology methods to communicate
effectively with all members of the healthcare team, including the patient and the
patient鈥檚 support network.
7. Utilize scientific principles of nursing knowledge in an interdependent manner
when working in collaboration with individuals and families to promote health, manage
illness and disease, and care for childbearing families.
8. Demonstrate ethical decision-making in an interdependent manner with other providers,
in ethical dilemmas faced by individuals and families.
9. Deliver safe, compassionate patient centered, evidenced based care that respects
patients and family preferences and culture. Adhere to AWHONN standards of Maternity
Nursing Practice, accepting individual responsibility for nursing interventions.
VIII. Assessment Measures:
May include but are not limited to:
鈥� Exams; Quizzes
鈥� Clinical Logs
鈥� Oral Presentations
鈥� Class Participation
Review and Approval
Reviewed February 2011, Kim Carter, Director
March 1, 2013
September 29, 2017
March 2021, Iris Mullins, Director