Nurse Midwife Program of the American College Philosophy of Care

Nurse Midwife Program of the American College of Nurse Midwives, affirm the power and strength of women and the importance of their health in the well-being of families, communities and nations. We believe in the basic human rights of all persons, recognizing that women often incur an undue burden of risk when these rights are violated.

Believe every person has a right to:

Equitable, ethical, accessible quality health care that promotes healing and health
Health care that respects human dignity, individuality and diversity among groups
Complete and accurate information to make informed health care decisions
Self-determination and active participation in health care decisions
Involvement of a woman’s designated family members, to the extent desired, in all health care experiences

Believe the best model of health care for a woman and her family:

Promotes a continuous and compassionate partnership
Acknowledges a person’s life experiences and knowledge
Includes individualized methods of care and healing guided by the best evidence available
Involves therapeutic use of human presence and skillful communication

Nurse Midwife Program honor the normalcy of women’s lifecycle events. We believe in:

Watchful waiting and non-intervention in normal processes
Appropriate use of interventions and technology for current or potential health problems
Consultation, collaboration and referral with other members of the health care team as needed to provide optimal health care

We affirm that midwifery care incorporates these qualities and that women’s health care needs are well-served through midwifery care.

Finally, Nurse Midwife Program value formal education, lifelong individual learning, and the development and application of research to guide ethical and competent midwifery practice. These beliefs and values provide the foundation for commitment to individual and collective leadership at the community, state, national and international level to improve the health of women and their families worldwide.

Source: http://ping.fm/RZBlJ