Charles Sturt University has many years of experience in educating student midwives to the level that is required for registration as midwives with the Nurses and Midwives Board of NSW (NMB NSW).
The midwifery course at Charles Sturt University commenced in 1990 after concern was raised by local Directors of Nursing about decreasing numbers of midwives in rural NSW. The course has grown to a six-subject Postgraduate Diploma of Midwifery, with over 50 hospitals approved to have midwifery students in ACT, NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.
The CSU Postgraduate Diploma model is unique. It has been designed to allow registered nurses to work in a maternity unit for 12 months of clinical midwifery practice while studying the theoretical component through distance education. Upon successful completion of the two components (clinical practice and academic study), students are eligible to apply for registration as a midwife with the Nurses and Midwives Board of NSW (NMB NSW). Students studying interstate then apply for reciprocal registration in that state.
The distance education mode is utilised, as it provides opportunities for rural and urban students to remain in their environment and achieve a midwifery qualification. The program is also increasingly utilised by urban students in city hospitals.
Potential students must negotiate a position in a maternity unit of their choice. This unit is required to be accredited by Charles Sturt University as a partnership hospital for the purposes of midwifery education.
Registered midwives who wish to gain a Postgraduate Diploma of Midwifery can also enter this program and will not need to complete any practical component or to attend residential schools.
Students who have previously completed the Graduate Certificate in Midwifery at Charles Sturt University will receive an initial credit package of 32 points (four subjects), with further credit being available for depth of clinical experience as a midwife.
Application closing dates will be determined in relation to hospital acceptance notifications. Hospitals need to notify the University prior to 1 May for the mid-year intake, and 1 November for the February intake. Contact info.csu on 1800 334 733 (free call) or email inquiry@csu.edu.au for further details.
Information on scholarships is available from the following sources:
Students, who are not registered midwives are required to attend two compulsory residential schools at Charles Sturt University's Wagga Wagga Campus.
The first is held before the start of clinical practice and is of six days' duration. This school aims to:
The second residential school is held at the commencement of the second session. It provides formal lectures and opportunities for students to explore areas of midwifery practice in depth.
Registered midwives will not need to attend any residential schools or complete any practical component.
To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 64 points comprising the 16 point credit package, six compulsory subjects and completion of a concurrent 12 month clinical component undertaken during enrolment in the course.
| Study through | Wagga Wagga |
| Study mode and normal course duration | 1 year distance education, concurrent with working in a clinical midwifery setting |
| Course code | ESDW |
| Fees | Commonwealth supported places Fee paying students may be eligible for FEE-HELP |
| Session available | February/July (Semester basis)
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| Apply through | CSU Admissions Office |
| Study through | N/A |
| Study mode and normal course duration | N/A |
| Course code | N/A |
| Fees | N/A |
| Session available | N/A |
| Apply through | N/A |
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
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.
Applicants are required to be Registered Nurses, currently registered with the NMB NSW.
Applicants must apply through a partnership hospital. Once this application has been processed and the student is accepted by the hospital, students then apply for enrolment with CSU.
It is the responsibility of any student wishing to undertake this course to first seek employment as a student midwife in a hospital with an accredited maternity unit.
Students wishing to register as a midwife
Students entering this course must be Registered Nurses to gain registration as a midwife in NSW. The majority of students who enter this course have had more than 12 months' clinical midwifery experience.
Each student will receive a credit package of 16 points (two subjects) prior to commencement of their studies.
Students who wish to apply to the Nurses and Midwives Board of NSW for registration as a midwife upon completion of their Postgraduate Diploma must study all other subjects while undertaking a 12 month clinical midwifery placement to be eligible.
Registered midwives
Registered midwives who wish to complete the Postgraduate Diploma of Midwifery will be eligible for a minimum of two subjects credit, with further credit being judged on previous studies and experience.
The following information gives you an overview of studying by distance education.
Course materials
When studying by distance education you may receive:
Distance education students usually study two 8 point subjects per semester. More or fewer subjects may be studied in consultation with the Course Coordinator.
Teleconferencing
Telephone tutorials are used to supplement face-to-face contact between students and academic staff. Conference calls enable several students, either at home or at a common location, to participate in a group tutorial with academic staff.
Direct telephone contact and email
Students are encouraged to maintain direct contact with staff by telephone or email. Office telephone numbers and email addresses will be supplied and telephone answering services are available in the offices of Course Coordinators. Students will also be advised of numbers for the School's central telephone answering and facsimile machines.
Online forums
Students may participate in various forums online, enabling direct and instant contact with staff and other students.
For all inquiries about Charles Sturt University courses, please contact info.csu on:
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Telephone: 1800 334 733 (free call within Australia) |