Purpose/Objectives:
The purpose of this project was to increase the involvement of teen fathers in the lives of the pregnant teen and his newborn. The clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is in a great position to foster this relationship and to provide the assessment, teaching, and anticipatory guidance for every stage of the pregnancy and child development and child rearing.
Significance:
This proposal is significant because of the alarming amount of literature attesting to the unmet needs of adolescent fathers, which results in their lack of involvement throughout the pregnancy and their lack of involvement with both the teen mother and the newborn child.
Design/Background/Rationale:
A group of CNS students from SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, New York, was greatly influenced by the alarming rates of teenage pregnancy in our community. After a review of available resources for teenage parents revealed an unequal availability of resources for fathers as opposed to mothers, the group decided to focus our attention on this underserved population. Although these fathers show interest in being involved in the lives of their babies, the main perceived barrier was found to be a lack of knowledge of child care. This group of CNS students felt that this was a need that should be addressed by CNSs.
Methods/Description:
The group of CNS students developed a program for the fathers to be, which included the following topics: changes in the body during pregnancy, growth and development of the fetus, childbirth, care of the newborn, and bonding with your baby. This program was a partnership between the College of Nursing and a visiting nursing organization. This program can easily be replicated in schools, youth organizations, religious affiliations, and other health facilities.
Findings/Outcomes:
The goal was to provide education to these young teen fathers to be. The young men left the seminar with an increased knowledge base and a better understanding of how to be a better support to the pregnant teen and a better understanding of the birth process and newborn care.
Conclusions:
The results from this seminar and the abundant information found in a review of literature on this subject indicate how much a program such as this is needed. Clinical nurse specialist practitioners are just the professionals to tackle this problem because of their unique role in promoting positive outcomes to communities as well as individuals.
Implications for Practice:
In presenting a program such as this to fellow CNS practitioners, this group seeks to motivate others to engage in similar activities and even to create similar programs geared toward this underserved population. It is apparent that there is a need for creative and dynamic interventions to be made in this area.
Section Description
The 2009 NACNS National Conference will be held in St Louis, Missouri, on March 5 to 7. More than 350 clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), graduate faculty, nurse administrators, nurse researchers, and graduate students are registered. This year's theme, "Clinical Nurse Specialists: Vision, Value, Voice," demonstrates the essential leadership skills of the CNS as well as the CNS role in implementing evidence-based practice.
Seventy abstracts were selected for either podium or poster presentations. Again, this year, there is a CNS student poster session. The abstracts addressed CNS practice in 3 practice domains (spheres of influence), emphasizing patient safety and quality care outcomes, leadership, evidence-based practice, and new ways to shape CNS practice. Topics include CNS work activities incorporated into 3 spheres of influence-patients, nursing practice, organization/system-including the development of clinical inquiry skills among staff nurses, use of simulation technology, strategies to maintain clinical excellence, CNS practice in end-of-life care decisions, and many new and thoughtful ideas to support CNS education, practice, and research. Collectively, the abstracts represent the breadth, depth, and richness of the CNSs' contribution to the well-being of individuals, families, communities, as well as to the advancement of the nursing profession.
The conference abstracts were published here to facilitate sharing this emerging new knowledge with those who were unable to attend the conference. As you read each abstract, appreciate the intellectual talent and clinical scholarship of your CNS colleagues who are advancing the practice of nursing and contributing to the health of society through improved outcomes for patients and healthcare organizations. We encourage you to contact individual presenters to network, collaborate, consult, or share your thoughts and ideas on the conference topics. Watch out for next year's call for abstracts and consider submitting for presentation at NACNS' next annual conference in Portland, Oregon, on March 4 to 6, 2010.