The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2001 that 51% of married women return to the work force before their children are 1 year old (Rojjanasrirat, 2004). Women's roles in the United States are rapidly changing, and the workplace environment is also changing to meet the added demands of women in the work force. Many women assimilate the multiple roles of wife, mother, and working professional into a cohesive unit; however, this is often difficult. Occupational health nurses play a vital role advocating for women in the work force. A critical area of advocacy (and education) focuses on providing necessary support to pregnant employees.
References
1.
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2004). Division of labor force statistics, Washington, DC. Retrieved October 26, 2005, from www.bls.gov.
2.
HigginsL. P.HawkinsJ. W. (2005). Screening for abuse during pregnancy. The American Journal of Maternal-Child Nursing, 30(2), 109–114.
3.
LittletonL. Y.EngebretsonJ. C. (2002). Maternal, neonatal, and women's health nursing. Albany, NY: Delmar.
4.
OldsS. B.LondonM. L.LadewigP. W.DavidsonM. R. (2004). Maternal-newborn nursing & women's health care (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
5.
RojjanasriratW. (2004). Working women's breastfeeding experiences. The American Journal of Maternal-Child Nursing, 29(4), 222–227.
