Innovative Outcomes in an Undergraduate Human Milk and Breastfeeding Course

Abstract

It is well documented that nurses receive inadequate education about human milk and breastfeeding, which can lead to suboptimal breastfeeding support and care of breastfeeding women. The purpose of this presentation is to demonstrate innovative outcomes by having undergraduate nursing students enroll in an entire semester course on human milk and breastfeeding. Implementation of a semester-long course on human milk and breastfeeding at the undergraduate level nursing students. Students are exposed to 28 hours of lecture and 14 hours in the clinic. In addition to the didactic and clinical experience, students have the opportunity to develop a manuscript for publication, implement an advocacy project in the community, or work one on one with a breastfeeding woman and her family over the long term. The course initially was offered only once per year but now is offered every semester. Each semester, students implement new innovative projects. Weekly evaluations of content are used to improve the course throughout the semester. End-of-semester evaluations have been used to improve the course over time. Each semester, student projects affect over 200 individuals in the community. In addition, the positive outcomes of published manuscripts have been tracked since the inception of the course. By having undergraduate nursing students exposed to human milk and breastfeeding research, nursing practice can be transformed. In addition, future leaders and researchers in the field are developed early in their careers.