Midwifery Core Curriculum Component

NRMW 5009 : OBSTETRIC PHARMACOTHERAPEUTICS (1 grad credit):

This course provides basic concepts and underlying principles of pharmacologic management during pregnancy. Emphasis is given to pharmacokinetics during pregnancy, teratology, vitamins and minerals, immunizations, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy as well as obstetric analgesia and anesthesia.

NRMW 5205 : ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY (3 grad credits):

This course will begin with the basic concepts of pharmacology and the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Students will be introduced to the mechanisms by which commonly used pharmacotherapeutics alter normal physiology as well as the pathophysiology of selected disease states. Incorporated in this course are patient-specific goals for therapy, choice of safe and effective therapeutic regimens, dosage adjustments, therapeutic drug monitoring for specific therapeutic endpoints, toxicologic and adverse events, and education of patients about prescribed therapy to maximize adherence to a therapeutic plan. Students will be encouraged to consider the indication for use, mechanism of action, routes of administration, contraindications, precautions, adverse reactions and interactions of commonly prescribed pharmacotherapeutics. The legal basis of prescriptive authority is also addressed.

NRMW 5017: Professional Issues and Leadership in Midwifery (3 grad credits):

The purpose of this course is to prepare the student to assume the role and responsibilities associated with professional midwifery practice. This course introduces the student to the development of the profession of midwifery as well as issues related to midwifery practice today. Seminars will cover the politics of health care delivery and midwifery practice on the local, national, and international level. Students will participate in field trips and professional activities including attending professional meetings. The goal is to promote the development of the professional midwifery leader.

NRMW 5018 : TOWARD RACIAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN MIDWIFERY PRACTICE AND EDUCATION (1 grad credit):

The purpose of this course is to build upon the concepts covered in Professional Issues and Leadership (PILM) 1 and continue to prepare the student to assume the role and responsibilities associated with professional midwifery practice. This course further develops the student’s appreciation of the professional responsibilities in midwifery practice beyond clinical practice. Seminars will cover issues and politics of health care delivery, lobbying for midwifery and women’s health legislation, and midwifery practice on the local, national and international level. Students will participate in field trips and professional activities including attending Lobby Day in Albany, New York, sponsored by the New York State Association of Licensed Midwives. There will also be sessions the principles of leadership and self-care in midwifery education and midwifery practice. The goal is to continue to promote the development of the professional midwifery leader.

NRMW 5122: Preparation for Midwifery Practice (1 grad credit:

NRMW 5106 : NEONATOLOGY, Didactic (2 grad credits):

The Neonatology, Didactic course focuses on the care and management of the normal newborn from birth through the neonatal period. Normal neonatal physiology, common variations in the neonate, pathophysiology, complications and anomalies, growth and development and anticipatory guidance are integrated with the midwifery management process. Emphasis is also given to the midwife's role as an advocate and liaison for families with the health care delivery system. Family integration of the newborn, newborn feeding methods and cultural variations in newborn care are also presented.

This course is taken subsequent to or concurrent with NRMW 5107, Neonatology, Clinical.

NRMW 5107 : NEONATOLOGY, Clinical (1 grad credits):

The Neonatology, Clinical course focuses on acquisition of skills involved in providing immediate care of the newborn following birth and a comprehensive assessment of the newborn. Instruction is provided regarding immediate care of the newborn as well as physical examination, behavioral and gestational age assessment.

Students are taught and practice newborn physical assessment skills prior to being supervised in a clinical setting by midwifery faculty.

This course is taken subsequent to or concurrent with NRMW 5106, Neonatology, Didactic.

NRMW 5118 : POSTPARTUM CARE, Didactic (.5 grad credit):

This course emphasizes care and management of postpartum persons from the birth of the infant to four-to-six weeks postpartum. Topics covered include: physiology of involution, comprehensive postpartum assessment skills, needs of the postpartum person and family, counseling regarding self-care, initiation and support for lactation, care of the infant and restorative exercises. Management of postpartum discomforts and complications are also included.

NRMW 5119 : POSTPARTUM CARE, Clinical (.5 grad credit):

NRMW 5112 : ADVANCED PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN, Didactic (1 grad credit):

This course is designed to provide basic knowledge needed for the practice of primary women's health care. Emphasis is placed on history-taking and the didactic components of physical examination, exclusive of the reproductive system. Relevant anatomy and physiology and normal and abnormal findings are included.

Students may take this course as part of the Midwifery Program challenge option. Students will register for the course in the Summer semester. All materials and requirements will be given to students. If the student passes the course requirements, the student may then register for Physical Assessment of Women, Clinical (1 grad credit) for the Fall semester. If the student fails to pass the course requirements, the student will complete this course in the Fall semester, along with Physical Assessment of Women, Clinical.

NRMW 5113 : ADVANCED PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN, Clinical (1 grad credit):

This course is designed to provide basic skills needed for the practice of primary women's health care. Physical Assessment of Women, Didactic, is a pre- or co-requisite to this course. Emphasis is placed on history-taking and physical examination, exclusive of the reproductive system. Emphasis is on sequence and techniques of physical examination.

Students may take this course as part of the Midwifery Program challenge option. Students will register for the course in the Fall semester. All materials and requirements will be given to students, including the Competency Performance Examination. The student will take the Competency Performance Examination within the first week of the semester. If the student passes the Competency Performance Evaluation, the student may move onto other didactic and clinical courses in the Midwifery Program. If the student fails to pass the Competency Performance Examination, the student will have the rest of the semester to complete this course by attending the usual classes.

NRMW 5114 : ADVANCED PELVIC ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN, Didactic (0.5 grad credit):

This course is designed to provide basic knowledge needed for the assessment of women's reproductive system. Emphasis is placed on history-taking and pelvic examination techniques. Relevant anatomy and physiology, and normal and abnormal findings are included.

Students will register for the course in the Summer or Fall semester. Physical Assessment of Women, Didactic, is a pre- or co-requisite. Students may take this course as part of the Midwifery Program challenge option. Students may take this course as part of the Midwifery Program challenge option. These students will register in the Summer semester. All materials and requirements will be given to the students. If the student passes the course requirements, the student may then register for Pelvic Assessment of Women, Clinical (0.5 grad credit) for the Fall semester. If the student fails to pass the course requirements, the student will complete this course in the Fall semester, along with Pelvic Assessment of Women, Clinical.

NRMW 5115 : ADVANCED PELVIC ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN, Clinical (0.5 grad credit):

This course is designed to provide basic skills needed for the assessment of women's reproductive system. Emphasis is placed on sequence and techniques of pelvic examination. Pelvic Assessment of Women, Didactic and Physical Assessment of Women, didactic and clinical are pre- or co-requisite courses.

NRMW 5116 : ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC CONDITIONS IN WOMEN AND THEIR PRIMARY CARE (3 grad credits):

Using the concept of human pathophysiology throughout the life cycle as a unifying thread, this course focuses on the broad scope of primary and preventive ambulatory health care needs of women. The pathophysiology and epidemiology of acute and chronic health conditions are covered in depth with an emphasis on how pathophysiology relates to health concerns. This scientific underpinning prepares students to assess and evaluate implications for early diagnosis of diseases and develop appropriate screening and prevention strategies. The role of midwives in health promotion and disease prevention as educators and promoters of women's wellness is also included, as are primary preventive health care guidelines. Assessment and evaluation of undiagnosed symptoms and physical signs, management of common acute and chronic medical conditions, and identification, consultation, and appropriate referral for other needed health care services are discussed. Genetic, environmental, and behavioral risk factors during various phases of women's lives are covered.

NRMW 5120 : INTRAPARTUM CARE, Didactic (2.5 grad credits):

This course emphasizes management of care of normal persons during labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum period. Topics covered include anatomy of the pelvis; physiology and mechanisms of labor; care of the laboring person; maternal and fetal assessment; birth techniques and procedures; and early maternal/family and newborn bonding.

NRMW 5121 : INTRAPARTUM CARE, Clinical (3 grad credits):

NRMW 5208 : CLINICAL PRACTICUM IN PRIMARY CARE (1 grad credit):

Clinical Practicum in Primary Care is designed to augment the midwifery class Primary Health Care of Women (NRMW 5108), given in the students' first semester. This clinical practicum will take place after the students have already had clinical practice in ambulatory care in the midwifery specialties of well-woman gynecology and antepartum. This will allow the students to be precepted by midwives and thus socialized into the midwifery role before they have primary care clinical experience, which is more general and will include supervision by either adult or family nurse practitioners, primary care physicians, or physician assistants. In addition, students have some introduction to common health problems in their well-woman gynecology and antepartum clinical rotation, and Clinical Practicum in Primary Care will build upon that introduction.

In Clinical Practicum in Primary Care, students will spend 42-48 hours in the clinical area, in adult health clinics or practices. They will see only female patients who present with common health problems for initial or follow-up care. They are not expected to achieve independence in management skills, but, rather, to be exposed to the variety of health problems with which women present for care, and to begin to develop management skills in these areas.

NRMW 5214 : ANTEPARTUM CARE, Didactic (1.5 grad credits):

This course provides the knowledge base for the management of care of essentially healthy women throughout the antepartum period. Maternal-fetal physiology and assessment, embryology, nutrition, childbirth education, breastfeeding, and needs of the pregnant woman are presented and integrated with the midwifery management process.

Students may take this course as part of the Midwifery Program challenge option. Students in the challenge option will register in the Fall semester. (All other students will register in the Spring.) All materials and requirements will be given to the students in the challenge option at the time of registration. If the student passes the course requirements, the student may then register for Antepartum Care, Clinical for the Spring semester. If the student fails to pass the course requirements, the student will complete this course in the Spring semester, along with Antepartum Care, Clinical.

NRMW 5215 : ANTEPARTUM CARE, Clinical (1.5 grad credits):

This course provides the basic skills needed for the management of care of essentially healthy women throughout the antepartum period. Maternal-fetal physiology and assessment, embryology, nutrition, childbirth education, breastfeeding, and needs of the pregnant woman are presented and integrated with the midwifery management process. Students will provide care to pregnant women with faculty supervision.

Students may take this course as part of the Midwifery Program challenge option. All materials and requirements will be given to the students at the time of registration, including the Competency Performance Examination (CPE). The student will take the CPE within the first week of the semester. If the student passes the CPE the student may move onto other didactic and clinical courses in the Midwifery Program. If the student fails to pass the CPE, the student will have the rest of the semester to complete this course by attending the usual classes.

NRMW 5212 : Gynecologic, Reproductive and Sexual Health, Didactic (1.5 grad credits):

This course provides the knowledge base for gynecologic care from adolescence through post-menopause. Included are health promotion and illness prevention, preconception care and counseling, human sexuality and family planning as well as common gynecological problems that may be encountered during various stages of women's lives.

Students may take this course as part of the Midwifery Program challenge option. Challenging students will register in the Fall semester. (All other students will register in the Spring.) All materials and requirements will be given to the challenging students at the time of registration. If the student passes the course requirements, the student may then register for Well-Woman Gynecology, Clinical for the Spring semester. If the student fails to pass the course requirements, the student will complete this course in the Spring semester, along with Well-Woman Gynecology, Clinical.

NRMW 5213 : Gynecologic, Reproductive and Sexual Health, Clinical (1.5 grad credits):

This course provides the basic skills needed for gynecologic care from adolescence through post-menopause. It gives students the opportunity to implement the knowledge attained in Well-Woman Gynecology, Didactic, in the clinical setting.

NRMW 5405 : INTEGRATION OF CLINICAL STUDIES (4 grad credits):

In this course, the student acquires increased responsibility for clinical management of patients from adolescence through the post-menopausal period, including antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and well-woman gynecologic care. The clinical study allows the student to integrate previously learned knowledge, skills, and judgment essential for safe practice of midwifery. The student is required to pass a written comprehensive examination in addition to clinical field practice.

NRMW 5209 : MEDICAL AND OBSTETRIC COMPLICATIONS OF PREGNANCY (1.5 grad credits):

This course focuses on the identification, diagnosis, evaluation, and follow-up of women with selected obstetric and medical complications during pregnancy. Emphasis is on the midwife's role in collaborating with physician(s) in the care and management of the high-risk woman during the antepartum, intrapartum, and the immediate postpartum periods. Seminars and lectures utilize a case management approach to foster understanding of the pathophysiology, screening methods, diagnosis, treatment, and follow up of selected complications. Faculty and experienced midwives who have had hands-on experience co-managing patients with complications serve as lecturers and seminar leaders.

NRMW 5309 : MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS OF PREGNANCY (1.5 grad credits):

This course focuses on the identification, diagnosis, evaluation, and follow-up of women with selected medical complications during pregnancy. Emphasis is on the midwife's role in collaborating with physician(s) in the care and management of the high-risk woman during the antepartum, intrapartum, and the immediate postpartum periods. Seminars and lectures utilize a case management approach to foster understanding of the pathophysiology, screening methods, diagnosis, treatment, and follow up of selected complications. Faculty and experienced midwives who have had hands-on experience co-managing patients with complications serve as lecturers and seminar leaders.

NRMW 5409 : OBSTETRIC COMPLICATIONS OF PREGNANCY (1.5 grad credits):

This course focuses on the identification, diagnosis, evaluation, and follow-up of women with selected obstetric complications during pregnancy. Emphasis is on the midwife's role in collaborating with physician(s) in the care and management of the high-risk woman during the antepartum, intrapartum, and the immediate postpartum periods. Seminars and lectures utilize a case management approach to foster understanding of the pathophysiology, screening methods, diagnosis, treatment, and follow up of selected complications. Faculty and experienced midwives who have had hands-on experience co-managing patients with complications serve as lecturers and seminar leaders.

NRMW 5700 : INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-3 grad credits)

This course provides the student with an opportunity to explore, in-depth and in a self- directed manner, a topic of special interest. Students, either individually or in groups select a faculty member with whom they:

Identify their specific focus
Define goals to be achieved
Select and describe methodology
Designate a final product

Students and faculty preceptors confer at mutually agreed upon intervals regarding the progress of the study. Offered on an as-needed basis.