A new documentary about the maternal health crisis and the role of nurse-midwives will air on Kentucky’s statewide PBS network Kentucky Educational Television (KET) on March 12 at 5:00pm ET. Air dates are also set for more than 150 PBS affiliates throughout the country.
Nurse-Midwives: Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis educates the public on the impact of nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners on maternal health and the maternal mortality crisis being experienced in the United States.
“The United States continues to have the highest maternal mortality rate among wealthy nations. CDC data from 2022 revealed that more than 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable,” Frontier Nursing University (FNU) President Dr. Brooke A. Flinders, DNP, RN, APRN-CNM, FACNM, said. “This documentary tells the story of how distance education paved the way to addressing this crisis by educating more nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners who play a crucial role in reducing maternal mortality and ensuring equitable access to care.”
Before the advent of online learning, a remarkable group of nurses and nurse-midwives believed that more nurses would seek certification as nurse-midwives if they could stay in their home communities during the educational process. Thus, the development of the unique and innovative Community-based Nurse-Midwifery Education Program (CNEP). CNEP was developed to allow nurses who lived in rural and underserved communities access to nurse-midwifery education without leaving home. The documentary details the development and evolution of the CNEP via interviews with visionary leaders and educators. It also shines a light on the subsequent development of family nurse practitioner, women’s health care nurse practitioner, and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner distance education programs and their similarly vital roles in maternal health care.
“Nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners are reshaping the landscape of healthcare,” Dr. Flinders said. “From across the nation, these incredible healthcare providers are making a difference in the communities in which they live and serve.”
This documentary is produced and directed by Michael Breeding. Learn more about this documentary at frontier.edu/documentary. Check local PBS listings for upcoming broadcast dates and times.
