Samantha Bernstein teaches nursing of the childbearing family in the accelerated BSN and direct-entry masters program at the IHP. She is an obstetric nurse researching maternal morbidity and mortality through the lens of human factors and patient safety. Her research examines the systems-level factors affecting registered nurses when patients experience clinical deterioration. She is an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant and serves on the Editorial Board of MCN: The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing and reviews articles for Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing and Nursing for Women's Health. She is also on the board of the Upsilon Lambda chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, the Honor Society for Nursing.

  • BA, Anthropology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
  • BSN, Simmons College, Boston, MA
  • MA, American Studies, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT
  • MSN, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
  • PhD, Nursing Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
  • Obstetric patient safety
  • Maternal morbidity and mortality
  • Nursing workforce research

Dr. Bernstein has published numerous papers - some titles are highlighted below. You can view a complete listing of Dr. Bernstein's publications on Google Scholar or in her CV. 

New management guidelines for hypertension in pregnancy.

Respectful maternity care.

Systems level factors affecting registered nurses during care of women in labor experiencing clinical deterioration. 

Prevention of failure to rescue in obstetric patients: A realist review. 

Scoping review on the use of early warning trigger tools for women in labor.

 

See Google Scholar Profile

 

In addition, Dr. Bernstein regularly presents at conferences and industry events. Please see her CV for a complete list of presentations.

Changing the Climate: Highlighting Moral Courage in Nursing Education at National League for Nursing Education Summit.

Systems level factors affecting registered nurses during care of women in labor at Sigma International Nursing Research Congress.

From coal miners to nurses: A project using sociotechnical systems theory to evaluate the work system of obstetric nurses at Eastern Nursing Research Society 2022.

Contact Information

Awards and Honors

Faculty Seed Grant Recipient, 2022

School of Nursing, MGH Institute for Health Professions

DAISY Faculty Award, 2022

First awarded at the Institute in 2016, DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System Foundation. The Foundation established the DAISY Faculty Award® to recognize dedicated nursing faculty who have a profound impact on the future practice of their students through their commitment and inspirational influence.