Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Course

The aim of the Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Midwifery is to produce a nurse midwife who is a highly capable individual able to work in partnership with the interdisciplinary team in general nursing and midwifery practice settings.

On completion of the Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery graduates will be able to:

• practice within the scope of practice and standards set down by the ANCI national competencies for registered nurses and ANMC national competencies for midwives
• provide beginning-level holistic health care for individuals and communities in our multicultural society
• practice within ethical and legal guidelines
• plan, implement and evaluate care that encourages individuals to achieve optimum health and well being
• demonstrate knowledge that is evidence-based and underpinned by sound political, historical, cultural and + social understandings of health
• appreciate the significance of ongoing education and research to improve practice
• work collectively and collaboratively with others on the health care team and value the partnerships formed with people in their care.

Police checks and Working with Children checks

Organisations that host clinical and community placements require students to have current Police and Working with Children checks regarding their suitability to undertake such placements. All enrolled and prospective students are advised that they will be required to obtain Police and Working with Children checks prior to undertaking their course. Working with Children checks are valid for five years and are available free. Police checks must be applied and paid for annually. However, in some community partnered programs, there may be a requirement to have a police check renewed every six months.

Drug Administration Policy

Students should be aware of their legal responsibilities regarding the administration and storage of drugs. In addition, it is the policy of the School of Nursing and Midwifery that where drugs are required to be checked by two people prior to administration; the student and supervisor (clinical teacher or registered nurse) are considered as one person. Students should be aware of the drug administration policy relevant to the particular year of study. For more information please visit http://www.med.monash.edu.au/nursing/current.html and refer to the section entitled 'Clinical Guidelines'.

Vaccination Policy

It is required that students obtain relevant vaccinations prior to clinical placements for presentation to the course coordinator on request.

Clinical practice units

This course requires students to undertake off-campus clinical placements. In the clinical setting students will have an opportunity to apply theory to practice under supervision. Attendance is mandatory for the clinical component of each unit. Clinical experience may be obtained in a wide variety of health agencies throughout Victoria and Australia, and includes the potential for practice overseas.

Clinical experience makes up approximately 50 percent of the Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery course. Generally speaking, students on clinical experience will take on shift work, including weekend shifts and night duty and work a supervised, unpaid 37.5 hour week. Make-up for time missed will be arranged in consultation with the clinical coordinator on receipt of a medical certificate.

Where a student's skill or knowledge is found to be inadequate, access to the clinical component of the unit will be denied. A student may be withdrawn from a clinical practicum if required skills and knowledge are deemed inadequate, or on other grounds deemed appropriate by the head of school.

Successful completion of this course will lead to eligibility for registration with the Nurses Board of Victoria as a Division 1 Nurse and endorsement as a Midwife on the Division 1 register.

Students complete 24 compulsory units. Clinical placements will also be undertaken throughout the course. The clinical practica comprise a major component of the course and require students to have experiences in a variety of clinical settings.

Students must satisfactorily complete the following units:

First year

First semester

• BMS1901 Human structure and function 1
• MID1003 The childbearing journey
• NUR1101 Perspectives of health and wellness
• NUR1201 Introdcution to scholarship and research

Second semester

• BMS1902 Human structure and function 2
• MID1002 Making practice connections
• NUR1203 Evidence-based nursing practice

Second year

First semester

• NUR2002 Nursing practice in context 1
• MID2004 Being with birthing woman
• MID2005 Supporting birthing women

Second semester

• NUR2004 Applied nursing practice in context 2
• NUR2104 Mental health 1
• SRH2002 Indigenous health and wellbeing

Third year

First semester

• MID3000 Theory and practice of complex midwifery
• NUR2003 Contexts of health care
• NUR3104 Mental health 2

Second semester

• MID3201 Midwifery practice elective
• MID3202 Supporting the newborn infant
• NUR1202 Legal issues and concepts

Fourth year

First semester

• MID4001 Advancing midwifery practice
• NUR3003 Education in health practice
• NUR3106 Introduction to high acuity

Second semester

• NUR3009 Transition to professional practice
• NUR3204 Integrated community care

Bachelor of Midwifery

Bachelor of Nursing Practice