Nurse Midwifery Program Philosophy, Mission and Objectives

Philosophy

The philosophy of the Seattle University nurse-midwifery program is grounded in the Seattle University and College of Nursing Core Values of social justice, innovation, empowerment, caring and integrity. Graduates are prepared to practice independently as primary health care providers with compassion in solidarity with the underserved and marginalized. We value diversity among students, staff, and faculty and actively work towards being inclusive inside and outside of the classroom. We make every effort to recruit, retain, and support diverse students, staff, and faculty.

Academic excellence is our priority and we support the University value of putting the good of the students first, by educating the whole person. The nurse-midwifery program faculty are committed to teaching excellence, incorporating technological innovations, examining scientific evidence, and promoting life-long learning and scholarship. Midwifery graduates are prepared to honor the normalcy of life cycle events and the value of therapeutic presence, communication and non-intervention, providing ethical, equitable, accessible, and inclusive care throughout the lifespan. Upon completion of clinical, graduates are able to competently and confidently utilize interventions as indicated and consult, collaborate and refer when it is appropriate. We believe that midwifery care is the best model of care and we are committed to expanding a diverse workforce to serve our diverse and vulnerable communities and populations.

We accept the responsibility of educating graduates who are competent, compassionate, progressive and who will have had much experience with the Ignatian practice of reflection as a tool of growth. Graduates will be prepared to carry out the SU and CON mission of being leaders to transform health care for a just and humane world.

Mission

The SU Nurse-Midwifery Program educates students who will be nurse-midwifery leaders empowered to generate, explore, and apply nursing and midwifery knowledge for evolving health care environments. Graduates will apply scientific evidence to promote the health of all people served. They will seek opportunities for professional growth, evaluation of practice, and policy development throughout their careers with the ultimate goal of transforming health care for a just and humane world.

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the Seattle University Nurse-Midwifery Program, the graduate will be able to:

• Provide competent, safe and culturally sensitive care utilizing the midwifery management process to independently manage the care of women throughout the lifespan as described by the Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice.
• Utilize the midwifery management process to independently manage the care of the newborn from the time of birth until 28 days of life consulting, collaborating and/or referring as indicated.
• Use critical thinking and scientific investigation to analyze and interpret research to evaluate and improve health care and health care outcomes.
• Apply frameworks of ethics, structural competency, health policy and cultural humility in determining equitable care and promotion of health improvement.
• Utilize information systems and other technologies to improve the quality and safety of health care.

1/13/2021: Updated and approved by the Midwifery Faculty