Courses & Requirements
Course Specific MPE Information
This page summarises course structure, MPE and Continuity of Care Experiences (CoCE) requirements, hours, and scope of practice by year for the BNSc–BMid and BMid programs.
Which course are you looking for?
James Cook University currently offers two undergraduate midwifery courses:
Please ensure you are accessing the information related to the specific course that is associated with the student.
- Bachelor of Nursing Science – Bachelor of Midwifery (BNSc–BMid)
Combined nursing and midwifery degree (commenced 2023, now in teach-out). - Bachelor of Midwifery (BMid)
Stand-alone midwifery degree commencing in 2027.
Bachelor of Nursing Science – Bachelor of Midwifery (BNSc-BMid)
The BNSc–BMid aims to produce graduates who meet both the NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice (2016) and the NMBA Midwife Standards for Practice (2018). Graduates are prepared to function autonomously and collaboratively in diverse settings, with a particular focus on tropical, rural, remote and First Nations contexts.
- 24 core subjects (teach-out), covering life sciences, professional identity, applied practice and preparation for practice.
- Integrated nursing and midwifery content from first year, increasing complexity through years 2–4.
- Midwifery Practice Experience (MPE) and nursing Professional Experience Placement (PEP) embedded across the program
For more information visit bNScBMidCoursehoursandCoCE..pdf
Midwifery
Midwifery practice experience (MPE) is completed through:
- Clinical placements
- Continuity of Care Experiences (CoCE)
- MPE is embedded within seven of the eight midwifery subjects.
- Theoretical learning is integrated with clinical practice.
- CoCEs' are undertaken in addition to MPE.
- CoCEs' commence from the second year of enrolment.
- Students complete a total of 1040 hours (26 weeks) of MPE across the course.
See - BNSc-BMid – Subject & Clinical Hours
- MPE in the first two years focuses on:
- The role of the midwife in promoting health and wellbeing
- Care across pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal continuum
- MPE occurs in a range of clinical settings.
- Placements provide opportunities to:
- Apply theory to practice
- Use simulation experiences in real clinical environments
- Develop knowledge and skills required for midwifery registration
Nursing (BNSc-BMid only)
- Students complete 880 hours (22 weeks) of nursing clinical placement across the course.
- Placements include consolidated and extended clinical experiences.
- Clinical immersion supports:
- Student integration into nursing and healthcare teams
- Development of professional practice in clinical environments
A minimum number of CoCEs is required for each student at each year level.
| Year | Experience |
|---|---|
Year One | No continuity of care recruitment is undertaken in the first year. They commence their MPE by observing the role of the midwife and the members of the multidisciplinary health care team in caring for women and their families during the childbearing period |
Year Two |
The focus in the second year is to develop students:
|
Years Three and Four |
The focus for students during the third and fourth year is to:
|
IMPORTANT:
Student scope of practice expands progressively across the course but always remains supervised and within approved boundaries.
Students must always practise:
- within their assessed stage of learning and competence
- under appropriate supervision
- in line with agency policies and NMBA Midwife Standards for Practice (2018).
Learning tools (MCATs) are mapped across midwifery subjects to support progressive skills development and ensure assessment against the NMBA Midwife Standards for Practice (2018). A detailed matrix shows which skills can be assessed in which subjects and how they align with standards and ANMAC requirements.
| Subject | MCATs that may be completed during designated subject |
|---|---|
NS2277 Midwifery Practice for Normal Labour, Birth and the Postnatal Period | 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10*, 14, 15, 18, 22 |
NS2003 Promoting Health Across the Pregnancy, Birth, and Postnatal Continuum | 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10*, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22 |
NS3229 Newborn Challenges and Midwifery Care | 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10*, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 |
NS3991 Applied Midwifery Practice and Complex Care | 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10*, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 |
| NS4993 Midwifery Capstone | ALL |
| NS4772 Midwifery Capstone | ALL |
MPE Completion (additional hours as required) | These hours are not allocated for MCAT completion as this is expected to be finalised in prior subjects |
BOLD numbers are new MCATs that can be attended from this subject onwards. | *MCAT 10 may be attended on a nursing placement under the supervision of a Registered Nurse if the client is a woman of childbearing age. |
Bachelor of Midwifery (BMid)
This course will be available from 2027 (pending final ANMAC accreditation)
The Bachelor of Midwifery (BMid) is a three-year standalone program based on the NMBA (2018) Midwife standards for practice. It prepares graduates for autonomous and collaborative practice in a wide range of settings, with emphasis on Northern Australia, rural and remote communities, and First Nations women and families.
Key points:
- 19 subjects over three years.
- Fully integrated midwifery curriculum in each subject (science and art of midwifery).
- 960 hours of MPE plus CoCE, aligned with ANMAC Midwife Accreditation Standards.
This information will be updated when the course is has been fully accredited
This information will be updated when the course is has been fully accredited
This information will be updated when the course is has been fully accredited
This information will be updated when the course is has been fully accredited
This information will be updated when the course is has been fully accredited
This information will be updated when the course is has been fully accredited
Documentation and Systems
All students must accurately document midwifery practice experience (MPE) and midwifery practice requirements (MPR), including clinical activities, assessments, and continuity of care experiences (CoCE).
Documentation supports evidence of competency development and alignment with NMBA (2018) Midwife standards for practice and ANMAC (2021) Midwife accreditation standards.
All records require validation by the clinical partner and/or clinical assessor.
Hardcopy or digital via MyProgress
Each student is issued a Midwifery Clinical Portfolio (MCP) for use across all midwifery practice subjects.
The workbook is used to record:
- Midwifery skills achieved during MPE
- Required clinical competency assessments MCATs & AMSATs
- CoCE experiences
- Timesheets / hours
- Reflection
Hardcopy Midwifery Clinical Portfolio
Structure:
- Part A Documents clinical experiences observed or undertaken
- Part B Records selected midwifery competencies required for demonstration of competence
- Part C Includes the Midwifery Professional Experience evaluation, incorporating formative and summative AMSAT, with an exemplar provided
- Part D Records participation in Continuity of Care Experiences
**Students are responsible for attending MPE/CoCEs with their book. Any questions regarding the hardcopy MCP can be directed to the mpe@jcu.edu.au email account.
All documentation must be reviewed and validated by:
- Clinical Partner
- Clinical Assessor
To support timely verification of documents, it is recommended that these forms and assessments are completed collaboratively by the student and Clinical Assessor.
The Clinical Assessor is responsible for:
- completing and finalising AMSAT assessments
- confirming timesheets
- validating student documentation
- confirming assessment outcomes
All documents require acknowledgement by the Clinical Partner or Clinical Assessor for validation.
Timesheets and AMSAT assessments must be completed and finalised by the Clinical Assessor.
Documentation must be validated before being considered complete.
Incomplete or unvalidated documentation may impact progression.
REMINDER
In accordance with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care: Documentation of information guidelines, all student clinical documentation must be countersigned by the designated Clinical Partner responsible for the student.
Student responsibilities
- Ensure all required documentation is completed accurately, contemporaneously, and legibly.
- Present clinical documentation in a timely manner for review.
- Confirm that all entries are countersigned by the supervising Clinical Partner before placement completion.
- Retain responsibility for monitoring that documentation requirements are met.
Clinical Partner or Supervisor responsibilities
- Review student documentation for accuracy, completeness, and relevance to the clinical episode
- Countersign all student documentation to verify supervision and validation of clinical activities
- Ensure documentation meets professional, legal, and organisational standards
- Provide feedback to support student learning and promote communicating for safety
Countersigning confirms accountability, supports patient safety, and ensures compliance with national documentation standards
Support
Need help understanding course requirements or what you need to complete?
For general guidance: please email the midwifery subject coordinators at mpe@jcu.edu.au
For urgent concerns: Follow local escalation procedures first, then notify JCU
→ See also: