Discussing the midwifery scope of practice within the NANDA-I taxonomy

To discuss the midwifery scope of practice within the NANDA-I taxonomy.

Review of the NANDA-I taxonomy followed by critical analysis of the nursing diagnoses (NDs) within the scope of midwifery practice. Search terms were defined. Two authors independently analyzed all diagnoses, and another author validated the results.

Of the 267 NDs in the NANDA-I taxonomy, 39 (14.6%) perceived a relationship with midwifery's scope of practice, and among these, 15 (5.6%) guaranteed greater specificity and accuracy for clinical reasoning.

The suitability of NDs for the broad spectrum of the midwifery scope of practice may need to be completed. Women's responses to life events and health conditions are simultaneously complex and specific, and many NDs in the NANDA-I terminology may be far from fully identified and developed to represent these responses.

Improvements in NANDA-I diagnosis would contribute to advanced terminology and increased specificity and accuracy of the diagnostic process. This is important in achieving appropriate outcomes and safe and effective interventions for which the nurses and nurse-midwives are accountable. Many NDs would not necessarily be used in any other context since they are specific to midwifery; however, it would help to develop a NANDA-I taxonomy that is more inclusive and comprehensive internationally.