A debate that has been going on for years within nursing
schools is whether or not nursing students should attend real births during
their obstetric rotation. Some argue in
favor of the birth experience, while others argue that obstetric skills can be
learned in the classroom and the physical birth is not necessary.
Of course logistics play a factor in setting up experiences
for nursing students. Time, facilities,
and babies willing to be born during scheduled clinical hours all play a role. Some male nursing students have encountered
women declining to allow them into the room and some students have had few or
no births during their rotation. This is all part of the unexpectedness of the
field of labor and delivery.
Those in favor of simulators argue that birth can be taught
by practicing with a mannequin, while others argue that there is no way to
bring the human experience without being beside a laboring woman.
I would argue that the art of being with women during labor
and birth is akin to learning how to be with patients as they die. It is a part of the compassion and stillness
that is ingrained in the profession of nursing.
Aside from these quiet skills, attending a birth is a life event that all future nurses should experience. It has been a tradition within nursing
schools throughout history and should continue in practice today.
Some argue that since nursing students are not expected to
be proficient in the field of labor and delivery, that this is an unnecessary
clinical experience. Labor and delivery
is considered a specialty field and therefore considered something that student
nurses need not master in order to graduate.
Do you think that experiencing a birth is an important part of
nursing education? Do you think the
obstetric clinical is worth having, or should it be replaced with a different
clinical setting? What are your
thoughts?
7 comments:
When I am accepted in the nursing program; I hope I get to experience a live birth!!!! I have an interest in this particular specialty so I'd really like the live birth clinical.
I think on many levels, experiencing a live birth is important, even if a nurse is not going into L&D. Becoming a mother is a life-changing experience that can be part of so many other medical issues, having that insight can only serve to make a better nurse in the long run.
If an expecting family is gracious enough to allow entry into birth room all nurses male and female need the experience as well as many others which seem to be left for the staff nurses to introduce the students to. The reasons for denying entry go beyond the family...Doctor, Hospital and RN instructor liability (fear of) in this day of the law suit may be one reason. In my opinion if you cannot handle the unpleasant bloody aspect of childbirth and see through it to the joy ..you as a Critical care RN which iis where most of the men Rn's want to work you will never be able to handle the gun shot wounds to the head etc. Many New Grads are experienceless due to fear of liability....RN students need to do and see it all before thrown into the non union low censused real world. They need the joy tragedy experience
I am new person to the blogging stuff so i do not have any idea to express my thoughts over here. Please share more information on your post.
Quite simply, as the language getting used is couched in legalese, exactly what the Food and drug administration is really showing here is it doesn't have intention to approve electric cigarettes which it favors a strategy through which these items are removed the marketplace and cigarettes are permitted unfettered reign over the marketplace for smokers' business.
avis
For me, I also agree that nursing students must attend to a birthing room because sooner or later they will still undergo this thing especially if they will be assigned in a very far flung area.
I must say that I really enjoyed reading all of Your posts.
sleepcosy
Post a Comment