The bond between a mother and a child is like no other. Sometimes it takes a nurse to strengthen it.
“[Nurses] can actually improve the lives of the children, the mothers, and our communities,” says Brenda Graves, RN, BSN, CLC, supervisor of the Fort Collins, CO-based wing of the nurse-run non-profit Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program.
The NFP program partners low-income, first-time mothers with nurses who visit the mothers in their own homes. The goal is to improve pregnancy outcomes, the health and development of children, and provide mothers with the confidence to create positive life courses for themselves. Since 1996, 86,000 mothers have been through the program, which now operates in 25 states and continues to expand.
The birth of NFP
As an undergraduate, David Olds, PhD, was working at an inner-city day care center and saw a need for guidance to be provided to parents and children. In 1977, he and colleagues decided to develop a program for nurses to visit the homes of low-income women during their first pregnancies and until their child’s second birthday. Trials conducted in communities proved the program yielded positive results.
During the visits, nurses:
- Discussed preventative health and prenatal practices for the mother, such as improving diet, reducing cigarette use, and alcohol and illegal substances
- Provided health and development education and care for mothers and children to increase awareness of specific child-development milestones and behaviors
- Provided life coaching for mothers, encouraging them to develop a vision of their futures, stay in school if under 18, and find jobs
By 1996 a multi-disciplinary team of public health policy experts, along with nursing and education professionals, launched an effort to replicate the model across the country, which became the NFP program. Twenty-five states are currently implementing the program, which is funded mainly by the public.
Elly Yost, RN, PNP, director of professional development at NFP, says nurses in the program are issued up to 25 clients, meeting with each mother bi-weekly during a 64-visit commitment.
“Many times these women have not had the opportunity to have a consistent, trustful relationship,” says Graves. “We try to model that they can have a relationship because we want them to have that relationship with their child.”
Enriching experiences
Graves says reading about Olds’ research was like a calling. She was not working as a nurse at the time, but the program drew her back. “I was so inspired, I had to do something different.”
Now with NFP for seven years, she says she has seen many successes, even though the mothers are sometimes unsure about forming a relationship with a nurse.
“The mothers come back and talk to you two or three years later about the things that they accomplished, and they tell you ‘I have accomplished this because I was in the Nurse-Family Partnership,’” she says.
The mothers often don’t have a support system that can help them with the difficulties of a first time pregnancy. Lauren Baker, the national director of marketing and communications for the National Service Office, says the nurses serve as role models for mothers, and also become mentors, coaches, and friends.
“The nurses really do help these mothers grow into confident people who can be good parents and strong women in their own right,” says Baker.
And according to Graves, the positives are reciprocal.
“I have learned so much by being in this program and I know that I have made a difference in the lives of the families.” says Graves. “This is a life-changing program, both for nurses and the mothers.”
Editor’s note: To learn more about NFT opportunities, visit the Web site or view current openings at NFP agencies across the country.
December 22nd, 2010 at 1:45 am
A brilliant article, I just passed this onto a fellow worker who was doing a little research on that. And he in fact bought me lunch because I found it for him. smile.. So let me reword that: Thnkx for the treat! But yeah Thankx for taking the time to talk about this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is extremely helpful for me. Big thumb up for this post!
December 23rd, 2010 at 12:29 pm
It is rare for me to discover something on the internet that’s as entertaining and intriguing as what you have got here. Your page is sweet, your graphics are outstanding, and what’s more, you use reference that are relevant to what you’re talking about. You are definitely one in a million, man!
December 24th, 2010 at 2:11 am
After study a few of the articles on your site now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Pls visit my web site too and let me know your thought.
December 25th, 2010 at 2:17 am
It is rare for me to find something on the net that’s as entertaining and intriguing as what you have got here. Your page is lovely, your graphics are outstanding, and what’s more, you use reference that are relevant to what you are saying. You’re definitely one in a million, keep up the good work!
December 25th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
A brilliant blog post, I just given this onto a university student who was doing a little research on this. And he in fact purchased me breakfast because I discovered it for him…
. So let me reword that: Thankx for the treat! But yeah Thank you for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me. Two thumb up for this blog!
January 4th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
Very Nice website. I recently built mine and i was looking for some ideas and your website gave me some. May i ask you whether you developed the website by youself?
Thank you
January 5th, 2011 at 4:33 am
I typically dont write comments on posts, but your write-up urged me to commend your writings. Thanks for writing this, I am going to certainly common your web site and come back once in awhile. Happy blogging.
January 5th, 2011 at 9:59 am
I guess you have made a few rather interesting points. Not as well many people would actually think about this the direction you just did. I am really impressed that there is so much about this subject that has been uncovered and you did it so nicely, with so considerably class. Topnotch one, man! Truly special things right here. Wishing you 2011 Happy New Year!
January 5th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
This is my first time i visit here. I found so many useful stuff in your website especially its discussion. From the a lot of comments on your articles, I guess Im not the only one receiving the many satisfaction right here! keep up a good job.
January 6th, 2011 at 12:11 am
I believe you have produced a few really interesting points. Not too many ppl would actually think about this the direction you just did. I am really impressed that there is so much about this subject that has been revealed and you did it so nicely, with so considerably class. Brilliant one, man! Truly fantastic things right here. Wish you Happy New Year 2011!
January 6th, 2011 at 6:23 am
You’re not the common blog author, man. You certainly have something important to contribute to the World Wide Web. Such a good blog. I’ll come back again for more. Wishing you Happy New Year 2011!
January 7th, 2011 at 3:40 am
Supplement are good and very effective..But i was always get scared of taking them..
January 7th, 2011 at 4:59 am
Really!! Is it possible to have a well streamed body in just 90 days? Wow!! I always dreamed of have that kind of body. I think I can go for this 90 days workout.
January 7th, 2011 at 5:32 am
Gamefly offer a wide variety of games, with over 7000 titles to their credit. It’s very easy to make use of their services. Just register and pick your plan and begin to rent! When you gain access to their services, you can browse their selection of games; each game page has its own summary, reviews, and even cheats.
January 8th, 2011 at 4:41 am
170. I quit this time (3rd attempt) on April 1st due to US federal and state tax increases on cigarettes. I just couldn’t afford it any more. I also started working out in order to keep from gaining weight. By May 1st, I still gained 10 pounds and was just as irritable as the previous times that I quit. That’s when I found out about and purchased my e-cigarettes. I’ve lost the 10 pounds and and am no longer irritable. I’m also still working out.
January 10th, 2011 at 8:45 am
Reverse Phone Lookup is a good service by which we can find information about prank callers like his address, photo, email etc.
January 11th, 2011 at 10:41 am
I actually knew about most of this, but having said that, I still thought it was useful. Nice job!