Inservice Education of the Obstetric Nursing Staff

The article from 1965 by Michael Newton, M.D., discusses the importance of inservice education for obstetric nursing staff, outlining various methods and benefits of such training. The training of ancillary personnel is highlighted as essential due to an expected rise in birth rates and the need for improved obstetrical patient care. The University of Mississippi Hospital, for example, offered a specialized 20-week course for practical nursing graduates, which included 200 hours of theory and 600 hours of supervised practice in obstetrics and gynecology. The article also emphasizes the usefulness of classes, conferences, and personal instruction for disseminating information about new techniques and unusual medical cases. Nursing-medical staff conferences are described as a platform for discussing departmental procedures and policies, with the importance of a clearly defined agenda. The article concludes that inservice education is a collaborative effort that requires a positive attitude and cooperation among medical and nursing staff, and that attention to the organization, timing, location, and materials used in the educational program can significantly enhance its effectiveness.