Perinatal Nurse Specialist

This specialty within the Master of Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs focuses on care of the childbearing family and prepares nurses for roles in a variety of perinatal health care settings. Throughout the program you will have opportunities to develop advanced knowledge and skill in perinatal/neonatal nursing. Courses include content on nursing concepts, individual and family development, physiological concepts, pathophysiology, role development, and research.

Advanced nursing courses and electives integrate theoretical content and clinical experiences and assist you in expanding your knowledge of perinatal health, examination and application of research findings in perinatal nursing and development and evaluation of the clinical nurse specialist and other advanced nurse practice roles in perinatal care. Exploration and analysis of normal physiologic changes and psychosocial events during the childbearing cycle, pathophysiologic events and chronic health problems affecting the mother, fetus and/or neonate in at risk situations and family adaptations. Graduates of this program have taken positions as a PNS, maternity clinical nurse specialist, nurse manager, outreach educator, and in staff development and community settings.

Opportunities for both full and part time study and distance learning are available. The program can typically be completed in 5-6 quarters full time or 2 1/2-3 years part time as a Master's student, or 3 years full time as a Doctor of Nursing Practice student. The distance learning option requires students to be on campus 2-3 times during the first 3 quarters and once the fourth quarter.

• Practice Characteristics
• Curriculum Overview/Clinical-Narrative
• Department of Family and Child Nursing