Nurse-Midwifery
The College of Nursing at the University of Rhode Island offers a Master of Science degree with a focus on nurse-midwifery for nurses interested in providing high-quality, culturally sensitive health care for women and their newborn infants. This federally funded program, initiated in 1993, is charged with preparing nurse-midwives who will practice in medically underserved areas and/or with medically underserved populations. The program is accredited by the Division of Accreditation of the America College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) through 2008. American College of Nurse-Midwives, 818 Connecticut Ave. NW Suite 900, Washington, DC 20006, (202) 728-9860 or www.midwife.org.
CURRICULUM
The Nurse-Midwifery program consists of courses totaling 46 semester credit hours. Of these, 14 credits are in nursing core courses consisting of concepts and theories in nursing practice, research, leadership, and role development. Support courses include six credits of Advanced Pathophysiology and Pharmacology. In addition, students must take 26 credits of nurse-midwifery courses. The program culminates with a written comprehensive examination and the submission of a substantial scholarly work involving significant independent study which is referred to as the major paper. This requirement is an extension of work completed from prior coursework in the master's program.
REQUIRED NURSING CORE COURSES (14 credits)
NUR 500 Theoretical Study of the Phenomena in Nursing (4 credits)
NUR 505 Nursing Research (3 credits)
NUR 507 Theories of Practice for Nursing (3 credits)
NUR 510 Advanced Leadership in the Health Policy Process (3 credits)
NUR 520 Graduate Study Seminar (1 credit)
REQUIRED COURSES FOR NURSE-MIDWIFERY (26 credits)
NUR 571 and 572 Theoretical Study and Clinical Practicum in Well Women's Health Care (6 credits) Study and clinical application of major theories, client issues, and nurse-midwifery strategies in the care of low-risk women in antepartum, gynecological, family planning, and primary care settings.
NUR 573 and 574 Theoretical Study and Clinical Practicum in the Care of the Childbearing Woman and Her Family (6 credits) Study and clinical application of major theories, client issues, and nurse-midwifery strategies during the normal childbirth, postpartum, and neonatal periods.
NUR 575 and 576 Advanced Practice: Collaborative Nurse-Midwifery Practice (9 credits) Study and clinical application of major theories, client issues, and nurse-midwifery strategies related to care of women and infants at risk for poor health outcomes. Collaborative practice and professional relationships within the community are emphasized.
NUR 577 Practice and Integration of Nurse-Midwifery (5 credits) Comprehensive and practical application of clinical skills and theoretical knowledge in nurse-midwifery. Complete integration of the nurse-midwifery role with the client, family and community.
SUPPORT COURSES (6 credits)
NUR 535 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nurses (3 credits) Clinical decision making based on the synthesis of an in-depth study of pathophysiological phenomena across the life span.
NUR 582 Pharmacotherapeutics in Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits) Integration of pharmacotherapeutics, decision making and pathophysiology for primary health care.
CLINICAL PRACTICE
Practice sites for all three clinical semesters are located throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and beyond. Students gain experience at a variety of clinical sites with different practice styles and experiences including inner-city health centers, HMO's, private practice, and tertiary medical centers. Integration sites may be anywhere in the United States. Transportation and additional living and conference expenses are the responsibility of the student and are in addition to URI tuition and fees.
CERTIFICATE OPTION
The post-master's certificate option consists of courses totaling 28 credits (NUR 503, 508, 535, 561, 562, 563, 564, 582, 590).
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Admission to the Graduate School.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Satisfactory score on GRE or MAT.
- Two letters of recommendation (academic and professional).
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing or the National League for Nursing with an upper-division major in nursing.
- Eligibility for R.N. licensure in Rhode Island.
- Undergraduate statistics course.
- Physical assessment course equivalent to NUR 503 at the URI College of Nursing.
- Two years of professional nursing practice, preferably in maternal child health care.
(Arrangements are made to assist students with less MCH experience).
- Statement of the applicant's purpose of study and long-range goals.
Only a limited number of students, generally between six and eight, are accepted
into the program each year. Priority for admission is given to applicants who:
- Are committed to two years of service in under-served areas of Rhode Island or
New England.
- Are committed to two years of service in under-served areas of the United States
or Third World.
- Are New England residents.
- Are bilingual.
For further information contact:
Dorcas Kamanda, M.S.N., M.I.A., C.N.M.
College of Nursing
University of Rhode Island
White Hall, 2 Heathman Road
Kingston, RI 02881-2021
401-874-5328 / kamandad@mail.uri.edu
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