Optimizing the Nursing Role in Abortion Care: Considerations for Health Equity
Date
2022-03
Authors
Carson, Andrea
Paynter, Martha
Norman, Wendy V
Munro, Sarah
Roussel, Josette
Dunn, Sheila
Bryant-Lukosius, Denise
Begun, Stephanie
Martin-Misener, Ruth
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
Longwoods
Abstract
Registered nurses (RNs) provide abortion care in hospitals and clinics and support abortion care through sexual health education and family planning care in sexual health clinics, schools and family practice. Nurse practitioners (NPs) improve access to abortion not only as prescribers of medication abortion but also as primary care providers of counselling, resources about pregnancy options and abortion follow-up care in their communities. There is a need to better understand the current status of and potential scope for optimizing nursing roles in abortion care across Canada. In this article, we describe the leadership of nurses in the provision of accessible, inclusive abortion services and discuss barriers to role optimization. We present key insights from a priority-setting meeting held in 2019 with NPs and RNs engaged in medication abortion practice in their communities. As scopes of practice continue to evolve, optimization of nursing roles in abortion care is an approach to enhancing equitable access to comprehensive abortion care and family planning.
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Citation
arson, A., Paynter, M., Norman, W. V., Munro, S., Roussel, J., Dunn, S., Bryant-Lukosius, D., Begun, S., & Martin-Misener, R. (2022). Optimizing the Nursing Role in Abortion Care: Considerations for Health Equity. Nursing leadership (Toronto, Ont.), 35(1), 54–68. https://doi.org/10.12927/cjnl.2022.26750