Experiences of and visions for collaboration between midwives and nurses in Nova Scotia

Abstract

ProblemIn jurisdictions where midwifery and nursing are autonomous and separate health care professions, little is known about how they collaborate during the delivery of perinatal health care services. BackgroundMidwifery became a regulated profession in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada in 2009. Since regulation, midwives and nurses have worked together at three models sites for the delivery of midwifery services and perinatal care. QuestionHow do midwives and nurses collaborate during the provision of birthing care in Nova Scotia, Canada? MethodsThis was an instrumental case study guided by feminist poststructuralism. Individual interviews of 17 participants were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Twenty-five documents were reviewed, and field notes were gathered. Feminist poststructuralist discourse analysis was used. FindingsMidwives and nurses collaborated well together. Participants described how positive collaborative experiences could influence a new way for midwives and nurses to work together. In this paper we present the theme Moving forward: A Modern Model for Nurses and Midwives working together, and its sub-themes of 1)’The birthing culture has changed’ and 2) ‘Allies and advocates’. DiscussionWithin the global context of strengthening midwifery and nursing, this study illustrated the potential for developing formal, collaborative perinatal models of care led by midwife and nurse teams to address inequities in perinatal health care services. ConclusionMidwives and nurses need more opportunities to collaborate and to build professional relationships. Establishing a midwife-led and nurse supported model of care may transform existing perinatal health care values, beliefs, and practices.