Undergraduate - Course3562 - Bachelor of Midwifery

NOTE: This course has had one or more changes made to it since publication on 1 October 2011. For details of change/s, please consult the change register at http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2012handbooks/2012-change-register.html.

The course offers an innovative curriculum that is sensitive to the changing educational needs of midwives, the health care industry and the community. It aims to prepare a competent midwife who can work in a variety of maternity settings to the full capacity of the internationally defined role and scope of practice of the midwife.

On completion of this course, graduates will be expected to:

• practice competently and confidently at a beginning level in a variety of maternity settings
• practice which is evidence-informed
• reflect attitudes which are congruent with the philosophy of valuing women, women-centred care, and woman-midwife partnership
• work both as a primary carer and in collaboration with other healthcare professionals in providing comprehensive care through women's reproductive life
• achieve employment in a variety of maternity care settings.

Special requirements

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 position regarding the administration and storage of drugs. In addition, it is the policy of the campus that where drugs are required to be checked by two people prior to administration under the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Victoria), and Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 1995; 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 proof of relevant vaccinations prior to clinical placements. Arrangements regarding serological screening and vaccination will be organised with the campus nurse on commencement.

Clinical practice units

This course requires students to undertake off-campus clinical placements. In years two and three, clinical practice in midwifery units will involve students working a supernumerary 16 to 24 hours per week. Students will be rostered to work a mix of day, evening, weekend and night shifts. Attendance on clinical placement is mandatory for the clinical component of each unit. Clinical make-up for time missed will be arranged in consultation with the clinical coordinator on receipt of a medical certificate.

Students who do not achieve a satisfactory result in their knowledge and skill level will be denied access to the clinical placement linked to the theory and practice units involved. A student may be withdrawn from a clinical practicum if required skills and knowledge are deemed unsafe, or on other grounds deemed appropriate by the head of school.

Clinical expenses

Students are responsible for all travel and accommodation expenses during clinical placement. Uniforms and accessories are required for clinical placements and students will be notified regarding purchase arrangements upon commencement.

Successful completion of the course will lead to eligibility for registration as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

Students complete 21 compulsory units, many of which have clinical practice requirements plus choose two elective units to ensure a total of 144 credit points. The clinical practice component of the course makes up approximately 50 per cent of the Bachelor of Midwifery, providing students with the opportunity to apply theory to practice under supervision.

The following course requirements refer to the Bachelor of Midwifery course approved for 2012. Students enrolled in prior years should consult the Handbook for that year's course requirements. Archived Handbooks are available at http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks.

First year

First semester

• BMA1901 Human structure and function 1
• MID1001 With childbearing woman
• NUR1001 Professional and scholarly communication
• NUR1010 Foundations of nursing practice

Second semester

• BMA1912 Human bioscience in nursing
• MID1002 Making practice connections
• MID1003 The childbearing journey
• NUR1102 Health assessment in clinical practice

Second year

First semester

• MID2004 Being with birthing woman
• MID2006 Practice allegiances
• NUR2001 Evidence health practice
• elective

Second semester

• MID2102 Towards a midwife self
• NUR2104 Mental health practice 1
• MID2107 Babies needing extra care
• MID2109 Feeding babies

Third year

First semester

• MID3108 Working with babies
• MID3000 Theory and Practice of Complex Midwifery
• NUR3003 Education for clinical practice

Second semester

• MID3105 Women's health: Women's business
• MID3110 Professional midwifery practice
• MID3201 Midwifery practice elective: Contractual learning in an area of choice
• elective

Bachelor of Midwifery