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A new identity: Nurse-midwives as authors
A NEW IDENTITY: Nurse-Midwives as Authors
One of the hallmarks of a profession is the utilization of formalized publications to share information with members of the group and with interested sectors of the public. In December, 1955, a NurseMidwife Bulletin was mimeographed and mailed to nurse-midwives around the United States. Subsequently, this issue was reset in type and became Volume 1, Number 1 of the Bulletin of the American College of NurseMidwifery, Inc. l In 1,973 the Bulletin was revamped and enlarged to become the Journal of Nurse-Midwifery, a publication printed on a quarterly basis that aimed at more effectively reflecting the professional status of nursemidwifery and of communicating our philosophy to the health professional and consumer communities. Last year, the Journal of NurseMidwifey began a relationship with a new publisher, Elsevier North Holland, Inc., a step aimed at further enhancing the professional identity of the Journal and of increasing its circulation to include a larger domestic and an international readership. The Journal now appears on a bimonthly publication schedule and the Editorial Board projects a progressive growth in size annually. The JNM is currently indexed by
Journal
of Nurse-Midwifery
l
the International Nursing Index and other listings of scientific literature. Inclusion in Index Medicus is a goal which the Editorial Board hopes to achieve by Spring, 1981. Clearly, the Journal is growing and becoming a more recognized voice in the maternal health care community. Nonetheless, we must continue to receive increased quantity and quality of manuscripts that reflect current philosophy and practice of nursemidwifery to meet projected goals of growth. In response to a 1978 JNM evaluation questionnaire, a group of the journal’s readership voiced a strong preference for including more articles dealing with clinical nurse-midwifery management, nurse-midwifery research, and nurse-midwifery education. Almost all respondents asked that such articles be authored by certified nurse-midwives themselves. At the 1979 ACNM Convention in Miami Beach, Florida, a preconvention workshop on “Writing for Publication” drew a large, enthusiastic audience of CNMs. Yet one year later only a few of these nursemidwives have submitted manuscripts to the Journal. Editorials published in the March/ April* and May/June,3 1980 issues of the Journal dealt with the need for
Vol. 25, No. 4, July/August
more articles reporting research efforts on the part of CNMs. Both CNMs involved in research and those working in primarily clinically oriented practices, however, need to develop and practice writing skills and begin to make a more substantial contribution to the professional literature. The Journal of Nurse-Midwifery Editorial Board has traditionally held a policy of encouraging CNMs to write for publication in the Journal and of providing guidance as necessay to prospective authors. Since we do strive for quality manuscripts, however, those submitted may often be returned initially with substantial editing and requests for revision. The author frequently does not pursue such revamping of her/his work and chooses to forego an opportunity for publication rather than performing the difficult and necessary task of rewriting. Under such circumstances both the author and the readership of the Journal are losers. It has been observed that: the literature of a maturing profession will be too meager a mark of its growth if we depend only upon the few with a natural inclination to write. The rest of us must push ourselves to-
ward that culmination of successful action-communicating
to others who
1
1980 Copyright
@ 1980 by the American
CoUew of Nurse-Midwives
may test, modify and use our experience.-I Writing for publication is not easy for most of us, but if our profession is to grow and become recognized for its true value in the health care community, CNMs must seek opportunities for enhancing their writing skills. As we become more involved in the area of continuing education, perhaps this is a subject that should be given increased emphasis. Both on a local and a national level, the ACNM needs to sponsor workshops dealing with writing for publication in professional literature. Most CNMs have valuable information and experience to share with readers of the Journal. Since we understand that many nurse-midwives currently do not view themselves as writers and feel that their work schedules leave them neither the time nor the motivation to author full-length articles, the Editorial Board has developed several sec-
tions of the Journal to give opportunities for writing on a less demanding level. Assistant editors in all regions are constantly seeking CNMs to write media reviews. Columns have been established in the Journal to exchange views and share information on clinical practice, education, research, legislation, and international issues. Contributions to these “Exchanges” can be directed to the Associate Editor who coordinates each column. The “Issues and Opinions” section of the Journal serves the purpose of printing the more controversial views of our readers. The “Letters to the Editor” column is provided to include readers’ reactions to articles that have been published in the Journal. Once nurse-midwives start writing they are likely to discover the pride and satisfaction that comes from seeing their articles in print. They are likely to find that a small article leads to ideas for a more in-depth study
which may evolve into a research project, which will eventually lead to a more sound basis for practice and greater fulfillment in their professional lives. The “power of the pen” has been long recognized. Let us not underestimate its potential for enhancing the public and private image of nursemidwifery. Gail Sinquefield, C.N.M., M.S. Associate Editor REFERENCES 1. Shah MA Editorial. J Nurs-Midwif 20(2):4 (1975) 2. Fawcett J: On research and the Journal of Nurse-Midwifery: A researcher’s viewpoint. J Nurs Midwif 25(2):2 (1980) 3. Baxter L: Thoughts on midwifery
and research. J Nurs-Midwif 25(3):1-2 (1980) 4. Leone LP: Accent on leadership. Am J Nurs 58: 1420 (1958)
EDUCATIONAL PREPARATION FOR CERTIFICATION IN NURSE-MIDWIFERY education is currently offered on a post-RN and Master’sdegree level. The post-RN program provides a curriculum of theory and clinical experience in nurse-midwifery. The degree program offers preparation in nurse-midwifery in conjunction with a curriculum leading to a Master’s degree. Yale University offers a 3-year Master’s program for non-nurse graduates. Registerednurseslicensed to practice in the United Statesmay apply to an ACNM-approved basic program and upon graduation are eligible to take the American College of Nurse-Midwives national examination for certification. Graduates of nurse-midwifery programs outside the United States who are registered nurses licensed to practice in the United States may apply to an ACNM-approved refresherprogram and upon completion of the refresher program are eligible to take the ACNM national examination for certification.
Nurse-midwifery
For further
information,
contact:
The American College of Nurse-Midwives 1012 14th St., N.W., Suite 801 Washington, D.C. 20005
2
Journal of Nurse-Midwifery
l
Vol. 25, No. 4, July/August 1980
One of the hallmarks of a profession is the utilization of formalized publications to share information with members of the group and with interested sectors of the public. In December, 1955, a NurseMidwife Bulletin was mimeographed and mailed to nurse-midwives around the United States. Subsequently, this issue was reset in type and became Volume 1, Number 1 of the Bulletin of the American College of NurseMidwifery, Inc. l In 1,973 the Bulletin was revamped and enlarged to become the Journal of Nurse-Midwifery, a publication printed on a quarterly basis that aimed at more effectively reflecting the professional status of nursemidwifery and of communicating our philosophy to the health professional and consumer communities. Last year, the Journal of NurseMidwifey began a relationship with a new publisher, Elsevier North Holland, Inc., a step aimed at further enhancing the professional identity of the Journal and of increasing its circulation to include a larger domestic and an international readership. The Journal now appears on a bimonthly publication schedule and the Editorial Board projects a progressive growth in size annually. The JNM is currently indexed by
Journal
of Nurse-Midwifery
l
the International Nursing Index and other listings of scientific literature. Inclusion in Index Medicus is a goal which the Editorial Board hopes to achieve by Spring, 1981. Clearly, the Journal is growing and becoming a more recognized voice in the maternal health care community. Nonetheless, we must continue to receive increased quantity and quality of manuscripts that reflect current philosophy and practice of nursemidwifery to meet projected goals of growth. In response to a 1978 JNM evaluation questionnaire, a group of the journal’s readership voiced a strong preference for including more articles dealing with clinical nurse-midwifery management, nurse-midwifery research, and nurse-midwifery education. Almost all respondents asked that such articles be authored by certified nurse-midwives themselves. At the 1979 ACNM Convention in Miami Beach, Florida, a preconvention workshop on “Writing for Publication” drew a large, enthusiastic audience of CNMs. Yet one year later only a few of these nursemidwives have submitted manuscripts to the Journal. Editorials published in the March/ April* and May/June,3 1980 issues of the Journal dealt with the need for
Vol. 25, No. 4, July/August
more articles reporting research efforts on the part of CNMs. Both CNMs involved in research and those working in primarily clinically oriented practices, however, need to develop and practice writing skills and begin to make a more substantial contribution to the professional literature. The Journal of Nurse-Midwifery Editorial Board has traditionally held a policy of encouraging CNMs to write for publication in the Journal and of providing guidance as necessay to prospective authors. Since we do strive for quality manuscripts, however, those submitted may often be returned initially with substantial editing and requests for revision. The author frequently does not pursue such revamping of her/his work and chooses to forego an opportunity for publication rather than performing the difficult and necessary task of rewriting. Under such circumstances both the author and the readership of the Journal are losers. It has been observed that: the literature of a maturing profession will be too meager a mark of its growth if we depend only upon the few with a natural inclination to write. The rest of us must push ourselves to-
ward that culmination of successful action-communicating
to others who
1
1980 Copyright
@ 1980 by the American
CoUew of Nurse-Midwives
may test, modify and use our experience.-I Writing for publication is not easy for most of us, but if our profession is to grow and become recognized for its true value in the health care community, CNMs must seek opportunities for enhancing their writing skills. As we become more involved in the area of continuing education, perhaps this is a subject that should be given increased emphasis. Both on a local and a national level, the ACNM needs to sponsor workshops dealing with writing for publication in professional literature. Most CNMs have valuable information and experience to share with readers of the Journal. Since we understand that many nurse-midwives currently do not view themselves as writers and feel that their work schedules leave them neither the time nor the motivation to author full-length articles, the Editorial Board has developed several sec-
tions of the Journal to give opportunities for writing on a less demanding level. Assistant editors in all regions are constantly seeking CNMs to write media reviews. Columns have been established in the Journal to exchange views and share information on clinical practice, education, research, legislation, and international issues. Contributions to these “Exchanges” can be directed to the Associate Editor who coordinates each column. The “Issues and Opinions” section of the Journal serves the purpose of printing the more controversial views of our readers. The “Letters to the Editor” column is provided to include readers’ reactions to articles that have been published in the Journal. Once nurse-midwives start writing they are likely to discover the pride and satisfaction that comes from seeing their articles in print. They are likely to find that a small article leads to ideas for a more in-depth study
which may evolve into a research project, which will eventually lead to a more sound basis for practice and greater fulfillment in their professional lives. The “power of the pen” has been long recognized. Let us not underestimate its potential for enhancing the public and private image of nursemidwifery. Gail Sinquefield, C.N.M., M.S. Associate Editor REFERENCES 1. Shah MA Editorial. J Nurs-Midwif 20(2):4 (1975) 2. Fawcett J: On research and the Journal of Nurse-Midwifery: A researcher’s viewpoint. J Nurs Midwif 25(2):2 (1980) 3. Baxter L: Thoughts on midwifery
and research. J Nurs-Midwif 25(3):1-2 (1980) 4. Leone LP: Accent on leadership. Am J Nurs 58: 1420 (1958)
EDUCATIONAL PREPARATION FOR CERTIFICATION IN NURSE-MIDWIFERY education is currently offered on a post-RN and Master’sdegree level. The post-RN program provides a curriculum of theory and clinical experience in nurse-midwifery. The degree program offers preparation in nurse-midwifery in conjunction with a curriculum leading to a Master’s degree. Yale University offers a 3-year Master’s program for non-nurse graduates. Registerednurseslicensed to practice in the United Statesmay apply to an ACNM-approved basic program and upon graduation are eligible to take the American College of Nurse-Midwives national examination for certification. Graduates of nurse-midwifery programs outside the United States who are registered nurses licensed to practice in the United States may apply to an ACNM-approved refresherprogram and upon completion of the refresher program are eligible to take the ACNM national examination for certification.
Nurse-midwifery
For further
information,
contact:
The American College of Nurse-Midwives 1012 14th St., N.W., Suite 801 Washington, D.C. 20005
2
Journal of Nurse-Midwifery
l
Vol. 25, No. 4, July/August 1980