Focus of OB Nursing

• Mother

• Baby

• Family

• Changes in focus due to cultural shifts and changes in technology

Important to Provide Culturally Competent Care

• Includes incorporating family’s values into the plan of care

• Nurse needs to be aware of cultural differences and how they impact patient care and

overall well – being of the patient

• Ask patient if there are cultural aspects of their care that are important to them

• Role of men in culture, may not be allowed in room.

• American way is not necessarily the only way.

• Food from home.

Professional Options in OB Nursing

1. Professional Nurses

2. Certified Registered Nurse (RNC)

3. Nurse Practitioners (NP)

4. Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

5. Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM)

6. Lay Midwives

a. No Professional training

7. Nurse Researcher

Legal Considerations

1. Scope – of practice (know it and stay within it) (Do not practice medicine without a

license)

2. Nursing Negligence (Omit or commit) Ex. = place baby in wrong crib (always check

name vs. crib)

3. Standard – of care (minimum criteria for competent care)

Patients’ Rights