E-Learning

Certificate Course in Fertility Nursing

Course Description

The enhancement of continuing professional development for healthcare workers working in specialist areas of healthcare continues to be an imperative towards enhancing the quality of Uganda healthcare delivery system. Registered Nurses and Midwives in fertility and assisted reproductive technology (ART) settings provide education, counselling, support, and direct nursing care to patients seeking assistance with conception. Thus, Nurses comprise a large and integral part of the fertility and ART medical team, yet no standardized course of study is available to train new nurses or further the education of experienced nurses in the field.

This course is designed for nurses and midwives who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills to support best practice in fertility nursing by providing in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge about all aspects of ART including pre-treatment evaluation, diagnostic tests, treatment options, oocyte recovery, embryo transfer and skills in patient counselling.

Course objectives

The content of this Nurse Certificate Course has been developed to provide core theoretical and practical knowledge specific to the clinical practice of ART, addresses minimum competency needs, and provides evidence-based training for new and experienced nurses and midwives in the field.  This evidence-based content will assist nurses to function in their roles safely and proficiently, ultimately contributing to improved quality of care and patient outcomes.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the professional training program, participant should be able to:

  • Describe female and male reproductive anatomy and physiology, with emphasis on the hormonal and functional changes involved in gamete production, fertilization, and implantation.
  • Discuss assisted reproductive technologies, including IVF, IUI and embryo transfer, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, sperm preparation techniques, and embryo cryopreservation, as well as indications and protocols for these procedures.
  • Identify the pharmacologic agents used Drugs Used in Ovarian Stimulation – IUI/IVF.
  • Select the appropriate pharmacotherapy protocols for ovulation induction and controlled ovarian stimulation cycles based on patient response.
  • Describe the components of patient education and counseling, issues related to multiple gestation, and management of early pregnancy loss.
  • Define third party reproduction and identify appropriate screening, informed consent and counseling, compensation and cycle synchronization for gamete and embryo donation and surrogacy.
  • Describe the principles of bioethics, and discuss ethical dilemmas, legal issues, and religious traditions as they apply to infertility treatment.

Target audience

This educational activity is designed for registered nurses or midwife interested in reproductive endocrinology and infertility who meet the following criteria: hold a current, active nursing license in Uganda or the professional, legally recognized equivalent in another country, and have a minimum of 1000 hours of experience as a registered professional nurse.

Course Duration

This is an intensive 8 days lecture and hands-on based course for the interested participants.

Teaching Format

The course consists of

  • Interactive discussion and didactic lectures
  • Live observation and demonstration of training skill sessions.
  • Hands-on laboratory training sessions

Trainee Evaluations

  1. Each Trainee is tested at the end of their training for:
    • Knowledge/Theoretical Component (30%): Multiple choice questions on lab techniques linked to each course module.
    • Practical Skills (50%): Tested on specific lab techniques taught during the training
    • Verbal Communication & Comprehension Skills/Integrative Component (20%)
  2. Candidates who meet the training requirements and successfully complete the course work will be awarded the Training Certificate

Credit Designation Statement

This Activity has been evaluated and approved by the Continuing Education Approval Program of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council for 40.0 contact hours of continuing education.