Undergraduate - CourseBachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Midwifery

The versatility of the nurse and midwife is becoming increasingly important in the provision of Australian and international health services. This course produces a registered nurse and a registered midwife, a highly capable individual able to work in partnership with the interdisciplinary team in general nursing and midwifery practice settings.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

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

• meet currently accepted standards of nursing practice as set down in the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC) National competency standards for the registered nurse
• meet currently accepted standards of midwifery practice as set down in the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC) National competency standards for the midwife
• 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.

Special requirements

Students must refer to the information available on the special requirements outlined below. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they have the correct documentation.

Police checks

Students must have a current Police check regarding their suitability to undertake placements. Refer to the faculty's police checkspolice checks (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/police-checks.html) webpage.

Working with Children checks

Students must have a current Working with Children check regarding their suitability to undertake placements. Refer to the faculty's Working with Children checksWorking with Children checks (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/wwc-check.html) webpage.

Immunisation and infection requirements

In accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council recommendations, this course requires that students comply with the faculty's Immunisation and vaccination policy and proceduresImmunisation and vaccination policy and procedures (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/immunisation/). These are designed to provide maximum protection against the increased risk of some vaccine preventable diseases for students, patients and workers in a health care setting.

This policy, and the associated procedures require that students have certain specified vaccinations, and have their blood borne virus status determined, before they commence a clinical placement. Students who have not complied with this policy may not be able to undertake clinical placement, with the attendant academic consequences.

Prospective students are provided detailed information on the effect of blood borne virus infection on the scope of practice of health care workers. Students who test positive to a blood borne virus (including HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C) will be required to consult a specialist medical practitioner approved by the faculty to provide advice on any necessary restrictions on work practices to protect patients and others from infection.

Drug administration policy

Students should be aware of their legal responsibilities regarding the administration and storage of drugs in keeping with the Drugs Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic) and the Drugs Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2006 (Vic). The School of Nursing and Midwifery have formulated a policy and students should be aware of the drug administration policy relevant to their particular year of study. Refer to the faculty's clinical guidelinesclinical guidelines (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/nursing/current.html) webpage.

Clinical practice units

The clinical practice component makes up approximately 50 per cent of this course, providing students with the opportunity to apply theory to practice under supervision. Students undertake off-campus clinical placements; in years two and three, clinical practice in midwifery units will involve students working an unpaid 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 or other acceptable documentation.

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 both a registered nurse and as a registered midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

This course consists of 25 compulsory units, many of which have clinical practice requirements.

First year

Semester one

• BMA1901 Human structure and function 1
• NUR1105 Foundations of leadership in practice
• NUR1001 Professional communication
• NUR1010 Foundations of nursing and midwifery practice

Semester two

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

Second year

Semester one

• MID2010 Working with birthing women
• NUR2106 Integrated nursing practice 1

Semester two

• MID3202 Supporting the newborn infant
• NUR2206 Integrated nursing practice 2

Third year

Semester one

• MID3000 Theory and practice of complex midwifery
• NUR2107 Person centred mental health care
• Elective

Semester two

• NUR1202 Legal issues and concepts
• NUR2207 Mental health clinical practice
• NUR3005 Chronic illness management in primary care

Fourth year

Semester one

• MID4001 Preparation for practice (Midwifery)
• NUR3001 Evidence based health care
• NUR3002 Integrated nursing practice 3
• NUR3003 Education for clinical practice

Semester two

• MID3110 Professional midwifery practice
• NUR3004 Preparing for practice

• Nursing
• Midwifery

Bachelor of Midwifery
Bachelor of Nursing