Obstetric Nursing - RN

Based upon the Perinatal Nursing Standards in Canada (Canadian Association of Perinatal and Women’s Health Nurses, [CAPWHN] 2018), this course prepares the RN to think critically about the experience of labour and birth. This will advance the ability to support the child-bearing individual and newborn at low risk, and the family, through the labour and birth experience. There is a focus on the stages of labour, supportive care, complications and interventions associated with labour and birth including grief and loss, and the immediate recovery period. Students will be encouraged to critically examine their own beliefs about topics in this course while exploring physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial adaptations in low risk labour and birth including common challenges in childbirth.

Share  

Registered Nurses (RNs) examine the fundamental concepts of fetal health surveillance appropriate to the antepartum and intrapartum periods. RNs utilize Clinical Practice Guidelines developed by the Fetal Health Surveillance working group and approved by the Board of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC), Canadian Association of Perinatal and Women’s Health Nurses (CAPWHN). RNs explore relevant fetal and maternal anatomy and physiology, criteria for methods of fetal health surveillance, and related equipment. RNs discuss terminology related to classification, practise interpretation of data, and outline appropriate responses. With emphasis on communication with the interprofessional team RNs develop skills to advocate for a safe, family-centred pregnancy and labour and birth experience.

Share  

Based upon the Perinatal Nursing Standards in Canada (Canadian Association of Perinatal and Women’s Health Nurses, [CAPWHN] 2018), this course prepares the RN and RPN to think critically about the nurse’s role in the postpartum period including care of the childbearing person, newborn, and family following birth. There is a focus on physiological and psychosocial assessment and interpretation of data, supportive care, interventions, and health teaching associated with the postpartum period. Nurses will be encouraged to critically examine their own beliefs about topics in this course while exploring physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial adaptations following birth for the childbearing person, newborn, and family.

Share  

Based upon the Perinatal Nursing Standards in Canada (Canadian Association of Perinatal and Women’s Health Nurses, [CAPWHN] 2018), the course guides the student to investigate the health and nursing care of individuals and their families from pregnancy through the postpartum period. Both strengths and challenges will be considered for the childbearing family across diverse settings. Students will be encouraged to critically examine their own beliefs about topics in this course while exploring common physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial adaptations in high-risk pregnancies. 

Share  

The registered nurse participates in this clinical course and applies theoretical principles and knowledge within the acute perinatal clinical setting. The registered nurse demonstrate safe and professional practice at the novice level in both the labour and birth unit and in the postpartum unit. The registered nurse follows the Perinatal Nursing Standards in Canada (Canadian Association of Perinatal and Women’s Health Nurses, [CAPWHN] 2018) and central concepts that underpin perinatal nursing of the Canadian Nurses’ Association. By establishing relationships with the pregnant person and neonate at low risk and the family, the registered nurse will facilitate communication, assessment, and education skills with families from diverse backgrounds in varied hospital settings. The registered nurse collaborates effectively with Humber College faculty and members of the health care facility in this preceptored, clinical course and reflects daily upon learning opportunities.

The Obstetric Nursing-RN clinical is 150 hours (half in Labour and Birth and half in Postpartum) and must be completed within a 3-month term. Nurses are required to do two shifts weekly following their preceptor’s schedule.  

Step 1: Complete the Clinical Placement Request Form for the fall term. The form opens on Monday, April 28th and closes on Wednesday, June 11th. After reviewing your form, we will email you the next steps. Your placement requests will be submitted to hospitals by June 13th. Requests cannot be submitted beyond this deadline.

Step 2: Register and pay for the clinical course.

Step 3: Begin working on Health Clearance requirements immediately after submitting your Clinical Placement Request Form. These requirements can take up to three months to complete.

Note: You will receive information about your clinical placement once you successfully meet the clearance requirements.

Share  

Learners critically examine their knowledge base, attitudes, and biases regarding infant feeding and learn about the significance of the WHO Code & Baby Friendly Initiative. Students also learn how to assess and manage common concerns with human milk feeding in the initial postpartum period. Emphasis will be placed on effective communication skills and the impact of social support for the infant and family, and on promoting self-efficacy in infant feeding. This course is based upon the Canadian Nurses’ Association competencies, the Canadian Association of Perinatal and Women’s Health Nurses (CAPWHN), Public Health Agency of Canada, and the clinical competencies of the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners.

Share