Online Course Brochure
For enrolment in 2009

Course structure

Students complete six subjects of study (see descriptions below) and there is an opportunity for Area Health Services to offer students 0.8 of a full-time position as a student midwife.

The allocation of suggested minimum clinical hours for each midwifery setting is as follows:

Enrolment pattern – February or July intake

Session 1
MID440 Midwifery Practice (8 points commenced)
MID441 Midwifery Studies 1
MID452 Issues in Midwifery

Session 2
MID440 Midwifery Practice (continued)
MID442 Midwifery Studies 2
MID524 Contemporary Midwifery Practice

Session 3 (summer session)
MID440 Midwifery Practice (completed)
MID525 Midwifery in Context

Subject descriptions

MID440 Midwifery Practice
The student midwife must be employed as either a 0.8 FTE or 1.0 FTE in an accredited participating hospital for the duration of this subject. MID440 constitutes the compulsory clinical component of the Postgraduate Diploma of Midwifery program.

Essential minimum midwifery experiences identified by the NMB NSW must be competently demonstrated in order for the student to be eligible to apply for registration as a midwife.

Achievement of these midwifery skills and competencies are recorded, assessed and reflected upon in this subject. The student is also required to critically examine issues that can impact on woman-centred midwifery care.

MID441 Midwifery Studies 1
This subject focuses on woman-centred midwifery care when she experiences a ‘normal’ pregnancy, labour, birth, postnatal and newborn period. Midwifery care that does not inhibit the physiological processes of pregnancy, labour, birth, postnatal periods, including the initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding will be emphasised. This subject uses a primary health care approach and other issues such as preconceptual care and psycho-social issues are included. The introduction of the subject involves contextualising current midwifery practice in an historical framework. As the student studies this subject, concurrent clinical requirements will enhance the application of learning.

MID442 Midwifery Studies 2
This subject has as its main focus, the midwifery care of the childbearing woman who may experience complications during the pregnancy, labour/birth or the postnatal period. Students will also study the midwifery care of the sick infant as well as the care of the woman and family who have experienced a stillbirth or neonatal death.

MID452 Issues in Midwifery
This subject consists of modules that explore a wide range of clinical practice issues for midwives including counselling, care of the woman with disabilities, health promotion programs and legal and ethical issues. Students are given the opportunity to explore these issues in relation to their own practice and to understand the diverse nature of midwifery practice and are also encouraged to consider these issues in the context of midwifery practice in both the hospital and community settings.

MID524 Contemporary Midwifery Practice
This subject provides the student with the opportunity to explore new and emerging topics that will impinge on their midwifery practice. Topics such as evidence-based practice and its critique, health promotion and complementary therapies will be examined and students will be encouraged to apply this knowledge to their practice as a midwife.

MID525 Midwifery in Context
Students who study this subject related to Midwifery Models of Care will examine the contexts in which midwifery care is delivered. As midwives, they will gain an understanding of both a rural and metropolitan context and how these contexts can impact on their midwifery care. Additionally, students will explore a feminist and primary health care context and critically appraise their practice with regard to these.

 

 

top of page ^