TABLE 5.

Suggested Clinical Implications for Hospital-Based Perinatal Nurses Teaching About Postpartum Depression

• Nurse educators and nurse managers should directly communicate to perinatal nurses that they expect all new mothers to be taught about postpartum depression.

• Preceptors for new perinatal nurses should model excellent teaching behaviors that include teaching about postpartum depression.

• Continuing education programs on postpartum depression for perinatal nurses, including Web-based activities, should be encouraged and rewarded.

• Perinatal nurses should be encouraged to assess their own attitudes toward mental disorders and professional psychological treatment. If attitudes are negative, they should ask for assistance from educators and counselors.