Postgraduate Diploma of Midwifery Clinical Placements
The Charles Sturt University Postgraduate Diploma of Midwifery is unique. It has been designed so registered nurses may work in a maternity unit for 12 months of clinical practice with the theoretical component studied concurrently 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 NMB NSW. Students studying interstate then apply for reciprocal registration in that state.
Course Outline
- Six subjects of study
- An opportunity for Area Health Services to offer the students 0.8 of a full-time position as a student midwife
- The allocation of minimum clinical hours for each midwifery setting:
birthing: 16 weeks
special care nursery: 8 weeks
postnatal care: 10 weeks
antenatal care: 8 weeks - 12 months (three sessions) of distance education study
- Two compulsory residential schools
Contacts
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Email the School
Practicum Components
Registered nurses must negotiate a position in a maternity unit of their choice. This unit is required to be accredited by the University as a partnership hospital for the purposes of midwifery education.
The hospitals employ their selected student midwives for at least the duration of the 12 month course. The student gets to experience midwifery care from an holistic perspective by caring for the same women during her pregnancy, birth and early parenting period. This assists to prepare the student for their life as a midwife who will be expected to provide continuity of care.
The hospitals select their own student midwives from the registered nurses who apply for the positions. As students they are paid a wage and are able to access scholarships which helps to relieve the financial burden that accompanies study
Now the course boasts 54 maternity units that provide midwifery clinical education for the midwifery students.