Lois Tschetter

Prevalence of Negative Birth Perception, Disaffirmation, Perinatal Trauma Symptoms, and Depression Among Postpartum Women

PURPOSE This study documented new case and estimated annual case prevalence, and relationships among womens negative birth perceptions, provider disaffirmation, perinatal trauma symptoms, and depression at 6-7 months postpartum. DESIGN AND METHODS An exploratory investigation of 71 White women (20.8% of the total population) was conducted. CONCLUSIONS. New case prevalence of negative birth perceptions (9.6:100), perinatal trauma symptoms (10.2:100), disaffirmation (8.6:100), and depression (15.7:100) are greater than other prominent high burden diseases. Variables were significantly correlated. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Findings reinforce the need for psychiatric liaison advanced practice nurses caring for childbearing women, including roles for detection/screening, educating professionals in communication, legislative/advocacy for funding, and further research.

Policies Aren’t Enough The Importance of Interpersonal Communication about Workplace Breastfeeding Support

Background: Formal policies can establish guidelines and expectations for workplace breastfeeding support. However, interpersonal communication between employees and managers is the context where such policies are explained, negotiated, and implemented. As such, this article focuses on interpersonal communication about breastfeeding support in the workplace. Objective: The objective of this article is to describe interpersonal communication related to workplace breastfeeding support. Methods: We conducted 3 focus groups with 23 business representatives from a rural city in the Midwest United States. Participants were recruited through the area chamber of commerce. We analyzed the transcripts of the focus groups and derived themes related to the study objective. Results: Our analysis of responses from business representatives in the focus groups revealed 3 major themes about interpersonal communication concerning breastfeeding support in the workplace: (1) interpersonal communication may be more important than written communication for enacting breastfeeding support, (2) multiple factors (age, sex, and power dynamics) complicate the interpersonal communication required to enact breastfeeding support in local businesses, and (3) positive interpersonal communication strategies may improve the success of workplace breastfeeding support. Conclusion: Interpersonal communication between employees and managers is where the specifics of workplace breastfeeding support (eg, policies) are determined and applied. Interpersonal communication about breastfeeding can be challenging due to issues such as age, sex, and power dynamics. However, positive and open interpersonal communication can enhance workplace breastfeeding support.

Reasons for employment or non‐employment during pregnancy

Although womens pattern of employment during pregnancy has markedly changed in the last 30 years, no research has explored the basis of contemporary womens decision making regarding employment during pregnancy. Conceptualizing pregnancy within a life span developmental perspective of adulthood, we used descriptive statistics and content analysis on data from 210 pregnant women to identify factors that influence employment decisions during pregnancy. Intrinsic reasons for working during pregnancy included self-actualization, escape from home, employment identity, and interpersonal contact. Extrinsic reasons for working included money, financial obligations, and employment setting compatibility. Intrinsic reasons for not working during pregnancy included pregnancy-related limitations, home identity, complexity, and family responsibilities. Extrinsic reasons for not working included financial juggle, job availability, and employment setting incompatibility. The results form a basis for anticipatory guidance recommendations for pregnant women.

Team-Based Learning: An Innovative Approach to Teaching Maternal–Newborn Nursing Care

Nursing education programs are charged with the task of transforming the way future nurses are educated to better meet the demands of an ever-changing health care system. The tradition of lecture-based theory courses and on-site clinical experiences is slowly being replaced by evidence-based teaching formats that focus on actively engaging students in their own learning. This article describes the process of integrating a new teaching strategy-team-based learning-into a maternal-newborn nursing course at a midwestern baccalaureate nursing program.

Clinical academic partnership: mutual ownership for clinical learning.

Quality clinical learning is increasingly challenging, yet essential for aspiring nurses. Creativity is needed to optimize scarce clinical experiences, maximize faculty talents, and ensure direct student engagement with clinical experts. The authors discuss a clinical academic partner project designed to address these issues.

Student Perceptions of Quality and Safety Competencies

Abstract Aim/Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate senior students’ level of preparedness to perform and perceived importance of 22 QSEN-related skills over a three year project period. Background: The national Quality and Safety Education in Nursing (QSEN) project promotes student learning in the provision of safe, quality health care. One Midwestern nursing program attempted to address health care challenges by purposefully utilizing the QSEN competencies for curricular changes. Methods: This study collected data from students in their final semester of a baccalaureate program using the QSEN Student Evaluation Survey. Results/Findings: Students reported they were somewhat prepared to perform skills related to all six QSEN competencies. Students perceived all QSEN related skills as being as least somewhat important. Conclusions: As a result of this study, the nursing program identified areas to be developed for further growth and utilized findings to aid in curriculum revision.

Using a first-year seminar to introduce nursing.

First-year seminar courses designed to aid the transition of freshmen students to the collegiate experience are commonplace requirements at many 4-year institutions. The authors describe the development, implementation, and outcomes of a first-year seminar course with introductory nursing content.

Brookings supports breastfeeding: using public deliberation as a community-engaged approach to dissemination of research

Empirical evidence demonstrates myriad benefits of breastfeeding for mother and child, along with benefits to businesses that support breastfeeding. Federal and state legislation requires workplace support for pumping and provides protections for public breastfeeding. Yet, many are unaware of these laws, and thus, support systems remain underdeveloped. We used a community-based approach to spread awareness about the evidence-based benefits of breastfeeding and breastfeeding support. We worked to improve breastfeeding support at the local hospital, among local employers, and throughout the broader community. Our coalition representing the hospital, the chamber of commerce, the university, and local lactation consultants used a public deliberation model for dissemination. We held focus groups, hosted a public conversation, spoke to local organizations, and promoted these efforts through local media. The hospital achieved Baby-Friendly status and opened a Baby Café. Breastfeeding support in the community improved through policies, designated pumping spaces, and signage that supports public breastfeeding at local businesses. Community awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and breastfeeding support increased; the breastfeeding support coalition remains active. The public deliberation process for dissemination engaged the community with evidence-based promotion of breastfeeding support, increased agency, and produced sustainable results tailored to the community’s unique needs.

Grief enriched us: a model of perinatal loss support.

This article provides an example of the clinical application of one of the Lamaze International’s Institute for Normal Birth evidence-based care practices. The practice of keeping mother and baby together, even in unusual circumstances, enhances family relationships and provides for positive lifetime memories.