Starting in 2008, we have been offering a workshop exclusively for nursing students. Even though they are welcome in any of our workshops, we can make it even more applicable by adapting our curriculum to meet their needs. Also many nursing students are wanting experience in labor and delivery before completing school. Doula work can help to meet that need. Still others are uncertain whether obstetrics and midwifery are the right choice. Our workshop can provide concrete answers to those questions for many students (see bottom of page).
We have adapted our curriculum to present both what a doula might do and what a nurse might do in certain situations. On the second day of our workshop, we have an experienced labor and delivery nurse spend several hours presenting the realities of her work with students and answering their questions. Here are comments from our past participants.
These comments were written on our evaluation forms. Numerically, our workshop participants rated us an average of 95% out of 100 - an A by any standards!
"This workshop was very beneficial for nursing students. You were awesome and really engaging."
-Edgewood College Nursing Student
"I really feel this workshop gave me something I was missing from nursing school."
"The guest speaker was great, she gave us a real life perspective that really helped."
-UW-Madison Nursing Student
"The workshop prepared me so much more than I ever thought possible and ever would have learned otherwise - not only in technical skills, but in my faith in birth, life, myself and others."
-UW-Madison Nursing Student
"Nothing needs improvement! Everything flowed well in a smooth sequence. What I really enjoyed is you used so many methods of teaching. I could tell you all knew what you were doing and you were well prepared. Thank you!"
-UW Madison Western Campus Nursing Student
"I loved talking with the L & D nurse, she was amazing. Her visit really helped bridge the gap from doula to nurse. I also loved watching the videos and doing the hands on positioning and comfort work."
-UW Madison Western Campus Nursing Student
"I really enjoyed this. I learned a whole lot that I know I will use."
-UW-Madison Nursing Student
"Ruth was very knowledgeable and addressed the emotional side of doulaing in such a unique and wonderful way. I really appreciated how she addressed our feelings and emotions and how that may affect our work as nurses.
Karen - I appreciated the personal stories of her own experience and the offering of continual support during the workshop. I appreciated her last teaching on the postpartum period as to how the mother and family are affected and it was so personable.
Amy has a great background in research that really enriches the workshop. She is very enthusiastic about birth work and the difference it makes.
The atmosphere was amazing, so relaxing and inviting!"
-Edgewood College Nursing Student
*Note from the trainers: (From our conversations with students)
Not all students were certain whether they wanted to go into labor and delivery. All of them felt this workshop helped them make up their mind. For most it confirmed their decision to eventually become obstetrical nurses or nurse midwives. From the information we provided they were also able to compare and contrast mother/baby nursing in small hospitals and large, tertiary care centers. Other participants decided they would rather do postpartum or pediatrics, but felt their understanding of birth would make a huge difference in how they treated families. Lastly, all participants felt they would make better decisions and have more satisfying birth experiences in their own lives because of the training.