Educating Rural Nursing Students About Appropriate Responses to Obstetric Emergencies

Abstract

The increase in rural hospital closings coupled with a decrease in maternity services mean training nonobstetric personnel is essential when dealing with emergent obstetric situations. There is also a struggle to expose students to high-risk clinical situations. This project was initiated with bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) students in a rural area. To incorporate a rural community-level obstetric emergency simulation into a BSN maternal nursing course. The goal is to identify complications early in order to decrease maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Students in a maternal–child nursing course were placed in a simulated rural emergency room setting and given obstetric emergent situations. The students previously completed content on pregnancy, labor, birth, and high-risk situations. At the end of the semester, students answered four critical thinking questions on a final examination regarding simulated situations. Students answered examination questions with a minimum of 75% accuracy. During obstetric emergencies, students demonstrated life-saving measures, including early identification, prioritizing interventions, and recall of useful resources. New graduate nurses with appropriate training will be better prepared to provide care in their communities. In addition, community health care training can increase preparedness in areas with low birth volumes and/or nonobstetric facilities. Use of obstetric emergency simulation training in clinics, for emergency medical services (EMS) and rural emergency departments can provide hands-on experience to licensed personnel within these settings. Collaboration with these professionals may help prevent adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.