Bachelor of Midwifery

Take part in the most significant event in most people's lives by training for a rewarding and challenging career as a midwife.

The Bachelor of Midwifery is specifically designed to prepare you for entry to professional midwifery practice. You will develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to provide high quality care through safe and effective midwifery practice in accordance with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council Midwife standards for practice. Study areas include anatomy and physiology, midwifery theory and practice, primary healthcare, women's health, mental health and psychosocial sciences. Graduates will be equipped to work in multi-disciplinary teams and in partnership with women to contribute to healthier outcomes for mother and baby.

Placements in this degree give you the opportunity to follow the journey of women throughout their pregnancies, to experience the full range of midwifery practice.

Graduates of this program will be able to register and practice as midwives across a range of settings, including public and private hospitals, clinics and as midwifery educators.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the world needs 9 million more nurses and midwives if it is to achieve universal health coverage by 2030. This year we are joining the WHO in celebrating the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, by sharing the stories and successes of the Southern Cross nursing and midwifery community.

The Bachelor of Midwifery is specifically designed to develop graduates for entry to professional midwifery practice. The course prepares graduates with skills, knowledge and attitudes to provide high quality woman-centred care through safe and effective midwifery practice in accordance with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council Midwife standards for practice.

Study areas include:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Midwifery theory and practice
• Primary health care
• Psychosocial sciences
• Women's health.

Pathway for Registered Nurses: In accordance with the approved pathway, a Registered Nurse (RN) only needs to complete the midwifery specific units, (60% of the total course, mostly part-time) in order to complete the Bachelor of Midwifery. Students do not begin midwifery placements until session 2 of year 1, but are thereafter in practice continuously except for the University break at the end of the year.

To be considered for the RN pathway, applicants need to provide evidence of current Nurse Registration with AHPRA, proof of employment equivalent to one year full-time working as a RN within the last three years and a copy of their completed Bachelor of Nursing degree

For further information about midwifery, visit the School of Health and Human Sciences' midwifery page.

Midwives are responsible for the care of women and babies during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, labour, birth and the early infancy period. They provide direct clinical care and support for healthy women and babies and work collaboratively with doctors and other members of a health care team when there are risks or complications.

Registered midwives may practise midwifery in various capacities in public and private hospitals and community, maternity and neonatal health care settings in urban, rural and remote areas. They can practise as group practice midwives, clinical midwifery consultants, midwifery educators, midwifery unit managers, community midwives, researchers, and as independent midwives (with further training). Upon completion of this course, graduates are eligible for graduate-year placement opportunities in any Australian state and in New Zealand.

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Midwifery, students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising all core units.

Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Health and Human Sciences after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising any 16 core units.

Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Health and Human Sciences after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising any 8 core units.

Professional Experience Learning

This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on School of Health and Human Sciences Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Progression

Any student wishing to take a break of one or more study periods must consult with the Course Coordinator.

Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 12 months between study of any two (2) units with professional experience learning.

Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 12 months between study of a theory unit that relates specifically to a particular unit with professional experience learning.

Students who have an interrupted study sequence of more than 12 months will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be required to undertake a specified supported professional experience placement to ensure professional experience currency prior to continuation of the course.

Duration

The maximum duration for completion of the award of Bachelor of Midwifery is six (6) years in total which includes any period for a leave of absence.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Access & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.