Master of Science in Nursing: Nurse-Midwifery

The Master of Science in Nursing prepares students to enter clinical practice as a Nurse-Midwife. The 56-credit-hour program may be completed on a full- or part-time basis. Clinical requirements include practicum experiences in diverse outpatient settings to allow practical application of theories and development of clinical skills. Students are required to participate in a clinical research project under the guidance of a faculty advisor.

The purpose of the Master’s program of study in nurse-midwifery is to prepare nurses as nurse-midwives and to provide a foundation for doctoral study. The program of study will prepare registered nurses to meet professional and community needs by providing access to nurse-midwifery care to improve the health of mothers, babies and their families in Indiana.

Meeting professional needs means the graduate will:

• Be a safe nurse-midwife by achieving core competencies of the ACNM
• Practice within the Standards of Nurse-Midwifery
• Successfully take the ACNM certification examination
• Provide nurse-midwifery care based on health promotion and disease prevention
• Participate in continued education to maintain competencies and further advance skills

Meeting community needs means the graduate will:

• Improve the health of mothers, babies and their families in Indiana
• Provide access to comprehensive, holistic nurse-midwifery care
• Advocate for women’s right to self-determination, respect for individualized community-based care
• Be leaders in professional and legislative organizations

Educational Objectives

The Nurse-Midwifery Track will prepare the graduates to:

• Make the professional commitment to independent and collaborative practice to improve the health of mothers, babies, families and communities, especially for undeserved and vulnerable populations in Indiana
   
• Provide competent and comprehensive quality nurse-midwifery care to childbearing families and women across the life span
   
• Participate in clinical research and incorporate evidence-based care into nurse-midwifery practice
   
• Provide effective education about nurse-midwifery including cultural health care issues to patients, community groups and other health care providers
   
• Incorporate Christian values including conscience, compassion and ethical decision-making into clinical practice
   
• Assume leadership roles recognizing the value of comportment and incorporating caring attributes while influencing health policies to promote high quality cost effective care for women, babies, families and communities

Curriculum

Statistics and Theory must be taken before or with research. Pharmacology and Pathophysiology should precede but may be concurrent with the first clinical courses. All Health/Illness status courses must precede the family course, with the exception of students who already hold nurse practitioner certification.

Note: Numbers in parentheses indicate classroom:clinical credit hours.

The Nurse-Midwifery Program is accredited by:

American College of Nurse-Midwives
Division of Accreditation
8403 Colesville Rd
Suite 1550
Silver Springs, MD 20910-6374