Graduate Diploma in Midwifery

Western Sydney University

About

For commencement year 2015 - 2020, please refer to:

4697.1 Graduate Diploma in MidwiferyThe Graduate Diploma in Midwifery is a course for registered nurses wishing to pursue a career in Midwifery.

The course prepares graduates for eligibility to apply for registration throughout Australia as a registered midwife.

The course combines theory and practice with an emphasis on woman centred care, the art and science of midwifery, health promotion, communication skills, evidence based practice and models of midwifery care within a primary health care approach.

To be eligible for this course students are required to obtain a 12 month position of employment as a Registered Nurse/midwifery student in an affiliated NSW Health Local Health District hospital or a Maternity Unit in a Private Hospital.

The course will be offered over 14 months with the students completing the last unit in Summer B of the second year.Accreditation The Graduate Diploma in Midwifery is accredited by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) on recommendation by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).

Course accreditation can be checked on their website.

http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Education/Approved-Programs-of-Study.aspx?ref=Midwife

Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points including the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended Sequence

Code	Name
401374	Professional Foundations of Midwifery

Code	Name
401347	Foundations of Antenatal and Birth Care

Code	Name
401348	Foundations of Postnatal and Newborn Care

Code	Name
401349	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Maternal and Newborn Health

Code	Name
401350	Complex Midwifery Care

Code	Name
401351	Complex Midwifery Practice

Code	Name
401092	Essentials of Best Practice in Midwifery

Code	Name
401352	Preparation for Midwifery Practice

Practice Experience

Practice experience occurs for 12 months at one hospital, students are employed 32 hours per week as a Registered Nurse/Midwifery Student. During practice experience students will develop clinical skills and knowledge in areas such as antenatal clinics; antenatal wards; birthing units; postnatal wards; newborn nursery; postnatal home visiting; operating theatres for caesarean sections; ultrasound clinics; fetal and maternal assessment units. The practice also includes working in such areas as community centres with child and family nurses or midwives in group practice.

Continuity of care is an integral component of the Graduate Diploma in Midwifery. Continuity of care/carer enables women to develop a relationship with the same caregiver(s) throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. Continuity of care/carer facilitates relationships and consistent information, which is essential to the provision of care that is safe, sensitive and appropriate. Students will undertake 10 continuity of cares with women over the 12-month practice placement.

For the student, continuity of care requires attendance at antenatal clinics on a weekly/fortnightly basis and provision of antenatal care under the supervision of a midwife. Students will follow 10 women throughout their pregnancy, labour and birth and during the postnatal period for up six weeks as determined by the woman, and the supervising midwife. This may include visits to the woman’s home. This may require attendance for care outside rostered shifts.

Institution