Masters in Midwifery

Course code: MMid

Location: Peel Campus
Availability: Internal and External (some compulsory on campus attendance)
Duration: 1 year full-time (3 trimesters) or part-time equivalent

Midwifery is a health care profession, distinct and separate from nursing. Midwifery activities contribute to the well being of women and babies in normal pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period as well as supporting the family through social, relational and personal issues during the time of childbearing.

Midwives also play an essential role in promoting healthy pregnancy and effective parenting as well as working in partnership with other health care professionals to meet the individual needs of mothers.

A midwife is able to recognise when childbearing falls outside the parameters of normality and refers the care of the woman to medical or obstetric providers in a timely manner.

Teaching is multi-professional and interdisciplinary, focusing on Midwifery problem-based learning. This incorporates the benefits of group interaction as well as individual reflective practice.

Complimentary to this, through shared learning, you will gain valuable clinical Midwifery experience and will identify learning needs and opportunities using communication skills with a variety of health professionals in real clinical settings. This will ensure that you develop a range of personal, interpersonal, psychomotor, critical and analytical skills needed to provide maternity focused health care.

Admission

Admission Requirements: A Bachelor of Nursing degree or equivalent. Eligibility for registration as a registered nurse with the Nurses and Midwives Board of Western Australia (NMBWA). Contractual arrangements must be made with a partner hospital for clinical placement. Admission is available only for the commencement of Trimester 1.

For the Reigstered Midwife, consideration for advanced standing and recognition of prior learning will be assessed on an individual basis.

Special Requirements: National Police Clearance and Working with Children check is required. A current screening and vaccination history is also needed to ensure a level of health suitable to meet the requirements of the course as well as meeting safe standards for midwifery practice. Students must have a current CPR certificate before commencing their clinical placement.

Career Options

Professional Recognition: Subject to accreditation of the Master of Midwifery course by the NMBWA graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as a Midwife.

Employment Prospects: With a national shortage of Midwives, graduates will be eligible to apply for reciprocal registration with any State or Territory in Australia. Opportunities may also exist internationally.

Course Structure

Trimester 1 - Required Units

MID501 Anatomy and Physiology for Midwifery Practice
MID502 Family and Cultural Community Midwifery Care
MID503 Transition to Midwifery Practice 1

MID513 Clinical Midwifery Practice 1
MID523 Clinical Midwifery Practice 2

Trimester 2 - Required Units

MID601 Midwifery Sociology and Contemporary Care
NUR610 Bio-ethics and Law for Health Care Leadership
MID602 Transition to Midwifery Practice 2

MID612 Clinical Midwifery Practice 3
MID622 Clinical Midwifery Practice 4

Trimester 3 - Required Units

NUR632 Applied Health Research Methods: From Research to Practice

MID603 Immunisation AND
MID613 Immunisation Practicum

OR

MID604 Family Planning AND
MID614 Family Planning Practicum

MID605 High Risk Neonatal Nursery Care AND
MID615 High Risk Neonatal Nursery Care Practicum

OR

MID606 New Directions; Health for Life AND
MID616 New Directions; Health for Life Practicum