Graduate Diploma in Midwifery

The Graduate Diploma in Midwifery is an online course-work program, which is supported by face-to-face study days throughout the 15-month program at the University of Newcastle. Most learning is undertaken online via guided weekly activities, online discussions, lecture notes, up-to-date readings and set assignments that contribute to a dynamic learning environment that is responsive to the contemporary clinical setting.

During the 15-month program you are required (by the NSW Nurses and Midwives Board) to meet and form a professional relationship with 15 pregnant women. You will follow these women throughout their pregnancy, and attend the labours and births where possible, and follow the women up after birth. At least five (5) meetings per woman are essential. Some perhaps most, of these meetings will be in addition to paid employment as a midwifery student. During the first trimester of the program, the courses Midwifery Practice 1 (NURS6160) and Midwifery Practice Issues (NURS6580) require the student to form a relationship with a number of the 15 women. These experiences are known as follow through experiences. That is, students form relationships with women in order to learn how to become women-centered midwives. In order for the experience to count as a follow through experience at least one contact must be made prior to the birth and at least one contact must be after the birth. Ideally the student will attend the woman's birth and participate directly in the woman's care, under the supervision of a registered midwife or doctor. It is expected that the follow through experiences will make up approximately 0.2FTE of the student's midwifery learning during the first trimester of study.

In addition to the follow through experiences, students must also complete seven days of structured clinical teaching sessions, as follows:

• Two days held at the health facility in which they will engage in the workforce component;
• Two days as part of NURS6580; and
• Three days as part of NURS6160.

The first two study days are at the commencement of the program. During the remaining 15 months of the program the follow through experiences are continued. Students commence a workforce contract with the relevant health service or institution during the second trimester of study. A minimum of 0.7FTE contract is required to meet the NSW Nurses and Midwives Board requirements. Prior to the commencement of the workforce contract students will be required to attend four study days, which include a clinical workshop on midwifery emergencies as part of Midwifery Practice 2 (NURS6170). Further study days are scheduled throughout the remainder of the 15-month program.

Completion of the Graduate Diploma leads to registration as a midwife with the NSW Nurses and Midwives Board.

Student selection is a partnership responsibility involving both the University and health services. In addition to the requirements listed below applicants are asked to submit their Curriculum Vitas and written comments addressing Selection Criteria. An interview process may occur depending on the number and calibre of applicants in any given intake.

In order to be admitted to the Graduate Diploma in Midwifery, an applicant shall have:

Essential Criteria:

• Completed the requirements of admission to a degree of the University (or equivalent);
• Current List A registration as a nurse with the NMB NSW;
• A criminal record clearance;
• Current immunisation in accordance with NSW Health policy;
• Signed a confidentiality agreement;
• Two professional references that confirm personal probity;
• Access to a computer with internet facilities to undertake on-line teaching and learning processes; and Access to mobile phone.

Please note: currently, the number of places in the Graduate Diploma in Midwifery is dependent on the availability of paid workplace contracts. Applications are assessed on merit and an offer of place into the Graduate Diploma in Midwifery includes a twelve-month contract in a health service midwifery unit.

Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents must lodge an application through the UAC. For details on how to apply through UAC visit the UAC website at http://www.uac.edu.au

Applicants must also submit further documentation to the University at the same time as the UAC application is submitted.

Successful completion of the program requires clinical midwifery experience, which is embedded in the courses NURS6160 Midwifery Practice 1, NURS6170 Midwifery Practice 2, NURS6180 Midwifery Practice 3 and NURS6520 Contemporary Midwifery.

Students undertake supernumerary experience in relation to their follow-through women during the first trimester. The other three trimesters include twelve months paid employment (workforce component) in addition to university studies and continuation of the follow-through experiences, 15 women in total, as a requirement. The workforce component may be undertaken at Hunter New England Health, North Sydney Central Coast Health or other health areas as negotiated.

Completion of the Graduate Diploma leads to registration as a midwife with the NSW Nurses and Midwives Board.

This program is not available to International students.

Students who have impaired function in their hands or arms, or a visual impairment will have difficulty pursuing this program. It is highly advisable for any prospective student with such a disability to contact the Faculty to discuss the issue.

The Faculty accepts responsibility, in liaison with the student Support Unit, for providing reasonable accommodations to allow students with disabilities to complete the program.