Bachelor of Midwifery | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Midwifery

Support the journey of pregnancy, birth and beyond.

Prepare to work as a registered midwife, giving women the necessary support and care during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period.

Program offered from Semester 1, 2017 - Subject to final external accreditation approval

Study location QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast TBA
UniSC program code
SC393
Commence
Semester 1
Duration
3 years full time or equivalent part time
Recommended prior study
English; Maths A, B or C; at least one science subject
Other requirements
This program has higher English language proficiency requirements than most other programs at this level offered by the University. Refer to the English language requirements.
Fee type 2016
  • What will I pay?
Total units
288

Prepare to work as a registered midwife, giving women the necessary support and care during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period.

In this program, you’ll gain a strong understanding of the social, cultural, spiritual, psychological and physical experiences of women to provide quality maternity care. You’ll study holistic assessment in midwifery; the nature of woman-centred midwifery practice; midwifery care across the childbearing continuum; legal and ethical requirements; bioscience and anatomy and physiology; research and evidenced based practice. By the end of the program you will meet the national requirements set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) for registration as a midwife.

You’ll learn midwifery skills in a simulated environment with state of the art technology that is as close as possible to the real situation, and on midwifery practice placements.

Throughout your program, you’ll gain practical experience on placements in settings such as clinics, community settings, maternity services and private midwifery practice. You’ll also engage with 10 women throughout pregnancy, at antenatal visits, labour and birth as well as postnatal visits to gain a comprehensive understanding of the childbearing journey.

At USC, you’ll benefit from strong face-to-face contact with teaching staff who are qualified in the areas of midwifery, nursing, education and research.

Take advantage of increased career opportunities for midwives on the Sunshine Coast. The new Sunshine Coast University Hospital and new models of maternity care will require qualified staff.

If you are an Enrolled or Advanced Enrolled Nurse, you’re eligible for credit into the program.

At the end of your degree, consider continuing your studies with the Bachelor of Midwifery (Honours) or the Master of Midwifery to pursue a career as a clinical midwife, midwifery researcher, privately practicing midwife or independent midwife.

Post-admission requirements

Before undertaking clinical placement, students must obtain and maintain a current first aid and CPR certificate, provide evidence of hepatitis B immunisation, undergo a criminal history check and obtain a Blue Card. Refer to Program requirements and notes.

Career opportunities

Registered midwife in hospital or community settings, metropolitan, rural and remote locations or independent practice.

Membership

Australian College of Midwives.

Registration

Students in midwifery programs are required to be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as students under the national law. USC arranges registration. Refer to the (AHPRA) website for detailed information.

Graduates are eligible to apply for registration a midwife in Australia with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, which is a Board of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia has a number of registration standards that graduates must demonstrate in order to be eligible for registration. For example, graduates must demonstrate English language skills at IELTS level 7, with 7 in all subtests, or equivalent before being considered for professional registration. For full details of the AHPRA Registration Standards, visit the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia website.

Program structure

For students commencing in 2017.

Introductory courses (10)

COR109 Business Law and Ethics
HLT100 Communication and Thought
HLT121 Anatomy and Physiology
HLT122 Midwifery Foundations
HLT123 Developing Midwifery
HLT131 Midwifery Practice 1
HLT132 Practice Principles for Midwifery and Nursing
LFS103 Health Assessment in Nursing and Midwifery Practice
NUR121 Introductory Bioscience
NUR131 Health, Culture and Society

Advanced courses (11)

HLT201 Research Foundations
HLT202 Therapeutics in Midwifery
HLT203 Midwifery Practice 2
HLT301 Advancing Midwifery
HLT310 Challenges to Mental Health
HLT311 Preparing for Midwifery Practice
HLT312 Midwifery Practice 3
NUR212 Midwifery Internship
NUR222 Caring for Child, Youth and Family
NUR231 Health Law and Ethics
NUR332 Drug Therapy

Electives (2)

Select 2 electives from the following:
NUR241 Cultural Diversity in Nursing and Midwifery
NUR312 Health Alteration
NUR322 Life Crisis - Translating Theory Into Caring Practice

Total units: 288

Program requirements and notes

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

  • complete all courses (288 units) as listed below
  • attend courses offered in Sessions (where applicable) 

In order to commence clinical placement you must:

  • Hold a valid Suitability Card (Blue Card), throughout the duration of your program, which is issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG). You should allow 12 weeks for CCYPCG to issue the card. Note: students who do not possess a valid Blue Card will be unable to complete the clinical practice component of their program and will be unable to meet graduation requirements.
  • have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state/territory authority)
  • show evidence of complete Hepatitis B vaccination (3 inoculations over a period of six months)
  • hold a current First Aid and CPR certificate from an organisation recognised by the Australian Resuscitation Council

Note: You are required to commence action of the above requirements immediately after enrolling. Hepatitis B immunity can take up to six months to determine and the processing of your USC Blue Card Application Form can take up to 10 weeks. Visit Nursing and Midwifery - Clinical Placement for more information about these requirements before you apply.

Students are expected to:

  • travel to attend clinical placements
  • make time commitment to complete the required clinical requirements including midwifery continuity of care experiences; students are required to complete 10 continuity of care experiences with women and their families, which will mean engagement in the program across the full calendar year 
  • have a level of computer literacy, including word processing and email
Program notes
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and undertaking some courses in Session 4 (Winter) or 8 (Summer).
  • Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
  • The Global Opportunities (GO) Program is not available to students studying in the  Bachelor of Midwifery program.
  • When enrolling, please refer to the Study Plan.