Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #117124

Jacqueline A. Kampp, MSN, RN, PHN, Breastfeeding Promotion Unit, California WIC Supplemental Nutrition Branch, 3901 Lennane Drive, Sacramento, CA 95834, Mary Wagner-Davis, MFT, IBCLC, Breastfeeding Coalition of Placer County, P.O. Box 531, Roseville, CA 95678, Brenda Hanson Smith, DNS, RNC, Nursing, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819-6096, and Andrea J. Hoberman, MPH, CLE, Perinatal Advisory Council - PAC/LAC, 13743 Ventura Blvd. Ste 330, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423, 818-788-6850, ahoberman@paclac.org.

This project demonstrates a collaborative effort among the: California State University, Sacramento School of Nursing; California WIC Supplemental Nutrition Branch; and Breastfeeding Coalition of Placer County to (1) educate Bachelor of Science (BSN) nursing students in evidenced-based lactation management and (2) provide an opportunity for BSN nursing students to gain experience answering a breastfeeding warm line and conducting individual breastfeeding assessments and interventions. Given that breastfeeding education in nursing schools is limited, nurses often lack the knowledge and skills to support breastfeeding mothers. The American Academy of Pediatrics, Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, the Department of Health and Human Services and many public health organizations, recommend integrating breastfeeding education into health care education curricula to improve health outcomes of mothers and babies. This project included (1) creation of an 18 hour curriculum for senior BSN students, (2) pilot testing with 30 students, (3) 16 – 24 clinical hours with a preceptor answering a breastfeeding warm-line, providing follow up phone calls to mothers seen in the lactation clinic, and providing assessments and nursing and breastfeeding interventions, and 4) an evaluation component. Preceptorship was provided by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs). The evaluation component included a pre and post-test, and a clinical competency checklist. This project is noteworthy in that it increases knowledge and skills among graduating nurses and provides credit towards their clinical hours. It can be adapted to fit the needs of any nursing program.

Learning Objectives: