ObjectivesThe aim of the Bachelor of Midwifery is to prepare students with a comprehensive grounding in advanced midwifery theory and practice to meet the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC)'s National Competency Standards for Midwives (2006). Learning outcomes Graduates of this course are expected to be able to: * meet the requirements for registration as midwives with the Nurses Board of South Australia; * work in partnership with women to give the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period and provide care for the newborn and the mother; * understand that professional practice demands life-long learning; * critically reflect about practice and implement well-developed clinical reasoning skills in their day-to-day practice; * understand how social, environmental and economic factors impact on midwifery practice; * negotiate with those who have different interests and understand cultural differences and their relationship to midwifery care.
Entry requirementsPre-Registration: For candidates with no previous formal midwifery qualifications and enrolled nurses seeking registration as a midwife. Requires three years of full-time study in the internal mode of study. Registered Nurses Pathway: For candidates who are eligible for registration as a general nurse with a nurses' registering authority in Australia and hold a current practising certificate. Requires one and a half years of full-time study or the equivalent part-time in the external mode of study only. International students must be registered in Australia as general nurses and enrol in a mix of internal and external mode of study. Applicants who obtained nursing registration by undertaking a nursing degree obtain are eligible for up to 54 units of credit. Registered Midwife Pathway: For candidates who are eligible for registration as a midwife with a nurses' registering authority in Australia and hold a current practising certificate. International students must be registered as a midwife in the country where they intend to undertake clinical experience. Requires one year of full-time study or the equivalent part-time in the internal or external mode of study.
Academic titleBachelor of Midwifery (Pre-Registration)
Course descriptionThe Bachelor of Midwifery (Pre-Registration) is for candidates with no previous formal midwifery qualifications or for enrolled nurses who would like to become eligible to register with the Nurses Board of South Australia as a Registered Midwife.
You will:
* be provided with an introduction to clinical practice together with the scientific basis of midwifery and research skills, communication and maternal and infant assessment
* study the history of midwifery and the role of the midwife
* develop midwifery skills and focus on family dynamics, nutrition, Indigenous health issues and complexities of childbirth
* explore managing practice and working in communities and draw on the knowledge gained in the previous years to demonstrate your ability to work in the role of a Registered Midwife.
In each year of the program students will have the opportunity to follow identified women through their experience of pregnancy and childbirth in a variety of settings, including rural and remote areas.
Our aim is to prepare midwives to practice as competent, confident practitioners in all settings according to the full role and sphere of practice described in the international Definition of a Midwife (World Health Organisation, 1992).
What will I study?
Refer to the program of study.
What is Midwifery?
Midwifery encompasses the autonomous and collaborative care of women, families and the community.
Midwives are accountable and responsible professionals who provide support, care and advice to women before, during and after childbirth.
Why study Midwifery at Flinders?
* Our School of Nursing & Midwifery was the first to offer a Bachelor of Midwifery program in Australia in 1997 and has been at the forefront of midwifery innovation and development in Australia ever since.
* We have a strong commitment to excellence in midwifery education, research and practice and work to develop strong links with the midwifery profession in metropolitan and rural areas of Australia.
* We offer innovative practice-based education and aim to connect research, practice and teaching so that each informs the other.
* Our academic staff work closely with external clinical and community agency partners to create a curriculum and student practice that are informed by primary health care principles and demonstrate the highest levels of professionalism.
Professional recognition
Our graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Nurses Board of South Australia and are eligible for registration in other Australian states through mutual recognition to practice in the role of Registered Midwife.
Career opportunities
What can I do with my Bachelor of Midwifery degree?
Study a language
Flinders also offers all students the opportunity to major in a language in conjunction with any undergraduate course. The Diploma in Language is designed to provide students with competence in a chosen language that adds greater portability to their qualifications. You will complete a total of one extra year of study and graduate with both your chosen degree and the Diploma in Language. You can apply for this at time of enrolment.
The Bachelor of Midwifery provides three entry pathways:
The course is offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences on a Commonwealth Supported basis.
Enrolment in the honours program may be offered to a student who meets certain academic criteria and subject to the School of Nursing & Midwifery being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study.
PROGRAM OF STUDY [November, 2008]
To qualify for the Bachelor of Midwifery, a student must complete 108 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.
Registered nurses receive up to 54 units of credit and registered midwives receive up to 72 units of credit.
Except with permission of the Faculty Board, the course must be completed within four consecutive years.
Not all elective topics are available in a given year.
Not all core topics are available in each semester, therefore a change in mode of study from full-time to part-time or vice versa is likely to interrupt the program of study.
Clinical placements are compulsory and will normally be undertaken in weekly blocks. A student who fails the practice component of any topic will receive a Fail grade for that topic.
A student may at any time be precluded or removed from a clinical placement.
The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.
FOR THE PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR CONTINUING STUDENTS WHO ENROLLED PRIOR TO 2007 ... click here BACHELOR OF MIDWIFERY (FOR REGISTRATION)
Semester 1
HLTH1004
Human Bioscience
4.5
MIDW1004A
Contexts of Midwifery Practice
4.5
MIDW1002
Midwifery 1
4.5
NURS1104
Effective Communication for Practice
4.5
Semester 2
MIDW1001
Contexts of Birth
4.5
MIDW1007
Maternal and Infant Assessment Skills
4.5
MIDW1008
Anatomy and Physiology of Reproduction
4.5
MIDW2003
Building Research Skills for Midwives
4.5
Semester 3
MIDW2001
Midwifery Skills
6
MIDW2002A
Family Dynamics
6
MIDW2005
Maternal and Infant Nutrition
6
Semester 4
NURS2724
Indigenous Health Issues for Nurses and Midwives
3
MIDW2004
Complexities of Pregnancy and Birth
6
MIDW2006
Babies at Risk
6
MIDW2007
Clinical Pharmacology
3
Semester 5
MIDW3001
Managing Midwifery Practice 1
9
MIDW3005
Managing Midwifery Practice 2
9
Semester 6
MIDW3003
Working in Communities
6
MIDW3004
Midwifery Practicum
12 BACHELOR OF MIDWIFERY (REGISTERED NURSES)
Semester 1
MIDW1004
Contexts of Midwifery Practice
3
MIDW1008
Anatomy and Physiology of Reproduction
4.5
MIDW2001
Midwifery Skills
6
MIDW2002
Family Dynamics
4.5
Semester 2
MIDW1001
Contexts of Birth
4.5
MIDW2003
Building Research Skills for Midwives
4.5
MIDW3002
Transition to Professional Practice
9
Semester 3
MIDW3001
Managing Midwifery Practice 1
9
MIDW3004A
Midwifery Practicum
9 BACHELOR OF MIDWIFERY (REGISTERED MIDWIVES)
Semester 1
MIDW1004
Contexts of Midwifery Practice
3
MIDW1008
Anatomy and Physiology of Reproduction
4.5
Elective
6
MIDW2002
Family Dynamics
4.5
Semester 2
MIDW1001
Contexts of Birth
4.5
MIDW2003
Building Research Skills for Midwives
4.5
MIDW3905
Clinical Midwifery Practice
6
Elective
3
ELECTIVE TOPICS may include:
MIDW3907
Independent Studies in Midwifery 1
3,4.5,6
MIDW3908
Independent Studies in Midwifery 2
3,4.5,6
NURS2730
Nursing and Midwifery Study Abroad
6
NURS3809
Elective Abortions: Practice Issues and Care for Nurses and Midwives
6
In consultation with the course coordinator, other topics may be undertaken as elective topics.
HONOURS DEGREE
A student who has completed all the requirements of the Bachelor of Midwifery, or another qualification which the Faculty Board agrees is equivalent, may be accepted as a candidate for the honours degree providing they have achieved a Credit average or better in fulfilling the requirements for the bachelors degree. To qualify for the honours degree, a student must complete satisfactorily 36 units of study within one year full-time or two years part-time.