Master of Midwifery CF45

Duration: 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
Mode & Location: external
Fees: full-fee-paying
Courses/Units of Credit: 9 courses including research/80 units of credit
Faculty: Arts, Health & Sciences
Entry: direct
Accreditation: Graduates are accredited by the Queensland Nursing Council for endorsement to practice as a midwife.
Practicum/Work Placement: 1032 hours of clinical practice
Residential School: A residential is conducted at the commencement of Midwifery Practice A and Midwifery Practice B. Refer to residential school timetable for dates.
Exit Awards: Graduate Diploma of Midwifery
Contact: Program Advisor on 07 4930 9862 or email on k.rodda@cqu.edu.au

Program Overview

The aim of this program is to prepare a midwife with the ability to provide woman centred care through demonstration of competent practice consistent with the Australian College of Midwives Incorporated (ACMI) competencies and code of ethics.

Entry

All applicants must be registered nurses, and their eligibility for the course will be assessed on a case by case basis.

International students are expected to comply with English language requirements and be registered as a general nurse in Queensland.

Program Objectives

On completion of this program the beginning practitioner will be able to:

• discuss the historical and contemporary issues in health care and women's health which affect midwifery and its practice;
• recognise and enact the roles and responsibilities of midwife in the provision of health care;
• assess a woman’s needs, facilitate the process of decision making for a woman and her family and respect their decisions regarding childbirth;
• utilise childbirth, health care education and counselling practices to support women, families and community groups;
• recognise abnormalities as they arise and work with health care professionals, consulting and referring as necessary when a woman's or neonate’s need for care exceeds the competencies of the midwife;
• undertake all aspects preconception, pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum care for women with normal pregnancies;
• provide safe and competent midwifer care directed by evidence-based practice;
• provide care and support to women during the birthing process by assuming the professional role of the midwife;
• recognise the responsibility and accountability for their ongoing professional development;
• practise midwifery within the current legislation, common law duties and their own scope of competence.

Program Structure

To satisfy the requirements of the award, students must complete nine courses or 80 units of credit as outlined below.

Pre-endorsement Students

Over 1032 hours of clinical practice is conducted in a variety of approved clinical areas including hospitals and community settings. Clinical practice will be arranged at approved hospitals.

Student must complete:

Code	Course
NURS21152	Evidence Based Practice
MDWF20001	Professional Midwifery Studies
MDWF20002	Care of the Well Childbearing Woman
MDWF20003	Midwifery Practice A
MDWF20004	The Challenges of Midwifery Care
MDWF20005	Midwifery Practice B

(Students may exit with the Graduate Diploma of Midwifery at this point.) To complete the Master of Midwifery, students must complete the following courses:

Code	Course
HLPB20003	Health Statistics & Epidemiology
HMSC20031	Research Methodologies
NURS20147	Research Project

Post-endorsement

Student must complete:

Code	Course
NURS20130	Special Topics in Health
HLTH20028	Philosophy & Bioethics
HLPB20003	Health Statistics & Epidemiology
HMSC20031	Research Methodologies
MDWF20001	Professional Midwifery Studies
NURS21152	Evidence Based Practice
NURS20147	Research Project
	2 electives