Graduate Diploma of Midwifery

Information valid for students commencing in 2014.

Course Code	73907
Version	3
Faculty	Medicine, Health and Molecular Sciences

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites	Applicants must be registered as a nurse in Australia, and: have completed an AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a health related field at this or another university; or have completed qualifications recognised as equivalent to the above; or submit as an exceptional case, evidence of professional attainments including professional experience in nursing. have concurrent employment minimum 0.5 FTE in a Midwifery unit.
Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements	Students of non-English speaking backgrounds must have an adequate English language capacity assessed under the Australian International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The IELTS score required for admission to this course can be found in Schedule I of the JCU Admissions policy.
Additional selection requirements	Students must submit the following additional registration forms with application: Graduate Diploma of Midwifery Student Registration form Graduate Diploma of Midwifery Clinical Placement Schedule For more information, refer to: Additional Information for Midwifery Applicants
Special admission requirements	Nil
Post admission requirements	Hepatitis B immunisation: Students must provide evidence of being immune to hepatitis B. A blood-borne viral disease may result in a student’s inability to obtain a placement in a Queensland Health facility and consequently may result in their inability to complete the requirements of the course as accredited by the relevant professional accrediting body. If a student has not complied with the above requirement before the start of their first placement, their enrolment will be terminated immediately. For more information, refer to: JCU Infectious Diseases Policy and Immunisation Guidelines

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points	24 credit points
Additional course rules	Nil
Additional completion requirements	Candidates are required to undertake a portion of the course via a block and/or limited attendance mode delivery (two 5-day residential schools at Townsville Campus). Candidates not resident in the Townsville region are required to arrange accommodation at their own expense.
Course learning outcomes	Upon successful completion of the course, graduates will be able to: Reflect critically on the ANMC competencies, behaviours, ethical frameworks and professional responsibilities of midwives. This will be supported by Page’s (2000) five steps to evidence based midwifery and Berg’s (2005) model of ‘genuine caring in caring for the genuine’ to promote professional midwifery care that is holistic and appropriate to all women and families in northern Australia Synthesize familiar, complex and challenging occurrences in the pregnancy continuum; to apply a contemporary body of knowledge and technical skill; and to design, implement and evaluate midwifery care that is supportive, holistic and recognises every woman’s right to self-determination in familiar, complex and challenging environments in the pregnancy continuum Apply primary health care principles and social determinants of health to develop and communicate strategies to promote and optimise health, welfare and autonomy of childbearing women and their families in northern Australia Provide culturally appropriate care that is collaborative and in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander childbearing women and their families across the pregnancy continuum in northern Australia Evaluate and apply established and emerging evidence and concepts in their midwifery practice for all childbearing women and families in northern Australia in accordance with Page’s (2000) five steps to evidence based midwifery Appropriately consult with interdisciplinary professionals to ensure they provide safe, effective, woman and family centered care throughout the pregnancy Demonstrate a high level of personal autonomy and accountability for their professional development; contribute to the professional development of others; through sharing knowledge, analysis, evaluations and attitudes that develop and enhance midwifery practice for all women and their families in northern Australia Demonstrate the cognitive, literacy, numeracy and creative skills necessary to allow them to effectively evaluate and interpret clinical information in partnership with all women and families in the pregnancy continuum

Course Structure

Core Subjects

NS5131:03 Foundations of Midwifery Practice

NS5132:03 Midwifery Care of Murri and Torres Strait Islander Families

NS5133:03 Healthy Labour and Birth

NS5134:03 Challenges to the Pregnancy Continuum

NS5135:03 Complex Midwifery Care

NS5136:03 Pharmacology and Clinical Midwifery Practice

NS5201:03 Research Design: Theory and Application

NS5214:03 Professional Midwifery Care

Campus

COURSE AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
Townsville

Candidature

Expected time to complete	1.5 years part-time
Maximum time to complete	4 years
Maximum leave of absence	1 year

Progression

Course progression requisites	Nil
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)	Yes
Special assessment requirements	Nil
Accreditation requirements	Must be registered as a nurse with AHPRA
Maximum allowed Pass Conceded (PC) grade	Nil
Supplementary exam for final subject	Not applicable

Advanced Standing

Eligibility	Candidates may apply for advanced standing for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Advanced Standing for Previous Studies and Recognised Prior Learning policy associated procedures.
Maximum allowed	Maximum 12 credit points (for formal study, or RPL, or a combination of formal study & RPL)
Currency	Advanced standing will be granted only for studies completed in the 5 years prior to the commencement of this course.
Expiry	Advanced standing gained for any subject shall be cancelled 9 years after the date of the examination upon which the advanced standing is based if, by then, the candidate has not completed the course of study prescribed for the degree.
Other restrictions	Not applicable

Award Details

Inclusion of majors on testamur	Not applicable, this course does not include majors
Exit with lesser award	Not applicable
Course articulation	Candidates who complete the Graduate Diploma of Midwifery are eligible for entry to the Master of Midwifery and may be granted advanced standing for all subjects completed under the graduate diploma.