Midwifery
GRADUATE DIPLOMA OF MIDWIFERY
CRICOS Code: 031619G
The Graduate Diploma of Midwifery is an innovative course, leading to endorsement
to practice in the State of Victoria as a midwife, and is offered in collaboration
with regional midwifery agencies. Learning will take place in study block mode
at the Mt Helen Campus of Ballarat University and in the community at a number
of major participating rural and regional agencies. Students are encouraged
to undertake clinical placements at appropriate maternity agencies close to
their home.
What Are The Admission Requirements?
Normal admission requirements specify that applicants will have completed an
undergraduate Bachelor of Nursing, and be registered with the Nurses Board of
Victoria as a Division 1 nurse.
All applicants will need to provide two professional references, including one
from current employer. Preference will be given to applicants who reside and
work in the region.
Special entry without the Bachelor of Nursing may be considered, provided that
applicants have a minimum of five years clinical experience and can demonstrate
the capacity to undertake studies at a postgraduate level.
Applicants who do not hold an undergraduate degree will be required to submit
a written academic paper.
The course is offered as a combination of fee-paying and HECS funded places
to domestic students, and as a full fee-paying course to international students.
How Are The Applications Processed?
Applications can be made on the Direct Application Form (Postgraduate) available
from the School of Nursing. The following documentation must be included before
applications can be processed.
* Certified academic transcript
* Certified current Practising Certificate
* Two passport-size photographs
* Two work-related references
* Written academic paper for those applicants not holding an undergraduate degree
(details in application package)
How Is The Course Structured?
The Graduate Diploma of Midwifery is a one year, full-time program or two year,
part-time program conducted in block mode. On campus teaching occurs in 4 x
3 weekly blocks, with off campus clinical components dispersed throughout the
year.
For students undertaking the course part-time, all of the clinical component
occurs in the second year of the course The clinical component is the major
focus of learning and is comprised of 600 hours supernumery practice located
in a range of relevant maternity settings. The 600 hours is broken up into 200
hrs labour and birth, 160 hrs postnatal, 80 hrs community placement, 80hrs level
two nursery and 80hrs antenatal care. Students are required to complete six
core units and one elective unit. This elective may be selected from units offered
by the School of Nursing or any other School at the University of Ballarat.
UNIT DETAILS
NM441: Foundations of Midwifery
This unit discusses particular themes and issues which underpin midwifery practice
in Australia. Lectures cover the development of midwifery from historical to
modern times, the professional role and scope of practice of the midwife including
the legal and ethical framework of practice. The political forces that shape
midwifery practice are examined and the midwifery image portrayed to the community
is explored in the context of society’s expectations of the professional
midwife.
NM442: Midwifery In Context
This unit enables students to critically analyse selected social, cultural and
political factors shaping women’s health issues, particularly those relating
to reproduction, childbirth and family development in multicultural Australia.
It examines the experiences of women, their partners and their families and
focuses specifically on issues relevant for rural and isolated women. Students
are encouraged to examine the implications for midwives in the provision of
appropriate and sensitive midwifery care.
NM443: Midwifery Continuum 1
In this unit the pregnancy-childbirth continuum as a life event for a woman
and her family is explored. The unit focuses on the development of knowledge
and skill from the preconception phase through to the onset of labour. The information
provided is linked to Midwifery Continuum 2 & 3 and addresses the physiology
and pathophysiology related to pregnancy. Relevant research is critically explored
and applied to the expected and unexpected pregnancy events with a particular
focus on the provision of balanced information and informed consent to treatment
and care. There is an emphasis on midwifery assessment and skill development
throughout pregnancy in the context of rural midwifery practice. The midwife’s
scope of practice and role as a member of the maternity multidisciplinary team
is addressed.
NM444: Midwifery Continuum 2
This unit addresses the midwife’s responsibility during a woman’s
labour and birth experience. The information provided moves through the knowledge
and skill required in the care of a woman during her labour and birth. The unit
is linked to Midwifery Continuum 1 & 3. It focuses on the physiology and
pathophysiology of labour and birth. The midwife’s responsibility in emergency
situations and accountability to ensure the provision of ongoing midwifery care
is addressed. Relevant research is explored and applied to practice with a focus
on the specifics of rural midwifery practice. There is an emphasis on midwifery
assessment and skill development during the progress of labour and birth in
the context of actual and potential problems. The midwife’s scope of practice
during a woman’s labour and birth in the context of the multidisciplinary
team is identified.
NM445: Midwifery Continuum 3
This unit addresses the midwife’s responsibility to the woman and her
baby during the postnatal period, which extends from immediate post birth phase
through to six weeks following birth. The central focus is the mother and baby
within the context of the childbearing family. The information provided is linked
to Midwifery Continuum 1 & 2 and addresses the physiology and pathophysiology
related to the woman and the baby after birth. Relevant research is explored
and applied to the context of, rural midwifery practice, short hospital stay
and domiciliary care. This unit also covers the care of the sick neonate. Lectures
are provided by midwives with experience in this specialty area, topics covered
include; resuscitation of the newborn, care of the neonate in oxygen, common
congenital abnormalities, jaundice in the newborn and care of the premature
and small for gestational age baby. These neonatal lectures support clinical
placement of 80 hours in a level two nursery.
(Elective) NM450: Introducation To Breastfeeding
This unit is designed to help students further their knowledge in lactation
and breastfeeding. A broad perspective of breastfeeding education is provided
within the context of workshop topics such as: early days to 12 months; anatomy
and physiology; sociology of breastfeeding; endocrinology & biochemistry;
counselling, preconception, antenatal & perinatal issues; immunology &
pathology; psychology & development; pharmacology & toxicology; prematurity
& technology; public health, ethical & legal issues; and research.
NM446: Research In Midwifery
This unit provides students with the opportunity to explore a variety of research
methodologies and to select an appropriate research question and methodology
congruent with their midwifery practice. Research in Midwifery is an advanced
exploration of research methodologies useful in addressing research questions
in midwifery. This unit prepares the student to defend a research base for clinical
practice.
Further Information may be obtained from:
Ms Rosey King
School of Nursing
University of Ballarat
PO Box 663
Ballarat, 3353
Phone No: + 61 3 5327 9660
Fax: + 61 3 5327 9719
Victoria, Australia
email: r.king@ballarat.edu.au
www.ballarat.edu.au/nursing
Timetable 2007 - Graduate Diploma of Midwifery
Booklist 2007 - Graduate Diploma of Midwifery
STUDENT INFORMATION
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