THE MATERNITY GRADUATE NURSE PRACTICE ROLE IN THE HOSPITAL: FROM TECHNICAL COMPETENCE TO PROFESSIONAL PROMISE (1946-1977).
Contributors: Columbia University. Teachers College.
Published: 1986
Number of pages: 97
Subjects: Education, Health.; Health Sciences, Nursing.; Education, History of.
Description: This historical study reviews nursing journals and textbooks published between 1946 and 1977 and examines written and verbal communication with fifteen nurses who worked a majority of the years between 1946 and 1977.

The purpose is to show change over time of the maternity nurse's practice in the hospital from one of technical competence to one of professionalism.

The main changes are related to (1) the influence of consumer demands for participant childbirth--for natural childbirth, midwife and/or birthing center deliveries and a decrease in the birth rate with a consequent desire of couples for a "perfect" child and (2) the changing nursing role since 1960 with increased emphasis on caring for the total person. The nurse's technical competence has not disappeared it has become a component of the professional role.

Is there a future for the maternity nurse? Will the midwife take her place? The answer is no. Both nurses will have a role to play--the midwife in birthing centers and "low risk" pregnancies and the maternity nurse in the hospital especially with "high risk" pregnancies.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-11, Section: A, page: 3988.

Thesis (ED.D.)--COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY TEACHERS COLLEGE, 1986.

School code: 0055.