Unit rationale, description and aim

This unit supports the student's transition from the disciplines of nursing or paramedicine into the midwifery profession by providing the opportunity for students to integrate theoretical and practical knowledge in simulation laboratories and supervised clinical practice. Foundational midwifery practice skills will be developed and extended through scenario-based learning in the health simulation centre followed by a period of supervised clinical midwifery practice. Continuity of Care Experiences (CCE) will commence. This unit is required by students to assist them to develop skills to support women during labour and birth and the immediate period following birth, in collaboration with midwives and the health care team.

The aim of this Introduction to Midwifery Practice unit is to provide the foundations on which clinical assessments are based, build on earlier learning about the anatomy and the physiological processes of childbearing, and model the way in which students will contextualize their theoretical knowledge through clinical practice.

We recognise that people who access maternity care may have diverse gender identities, that those who do can experience marginalisation and oppression, and that using appropriate terminology can help with these community members’ recognition and visibility, acknowledge the variety of pregnancy and birth experiences people may have, and respect individuals’ preferences. To reflect this, terms such as ‘pregnant person’, ‘birthing person’, ‘childbearing people’, ‘parent’ and ‘chestfeeding’ may be used in the midwifery courses at ACU in addition to ‘woman’, ‘mother’, ‘maternity’, ‘maternal’ and ‘breastfeeding’, which are used not to exclude those who do not identify as a woman, but in recognition that women continue to be marginalised and oppressed in many places around the world and to respect their own individual preferences.  

2026 10

Campus offering

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  • Term Mode
  • Semester 1Multi-mode
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  • Semester 1Multi-mode
  • Term Mode
  • Semester 1Multi-mode

Prerequisites

Nil

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Demonstrate a woman-centred approach and effective...

Learning Outcome 01

Demonstrate a woman-centred approach and effective communication skills in establishing, maintaining and concluding relationships with women during their childbearing journey within a multidisciplinary team;

Apply legal and ethical frameworks, policies and p...

Learning Outcome 02

Apply legal and ethical frameworks, policies and procedures to safe care of women and their babies across the maternity care continuum;

Apply knowledge of underlying anatomy and physiolo...

Learning Outcome 03

Apply knowledge of underlying anatomy and physiology in comprehensive assessment of women and babies across maternity care;

Assess, plan, document, provide and evaluate safe,...

Learning Outcome 04

Assess, plan, document, provide and evaluate safe, woman-centred, evidence-based midwifery care in a range of settings;

Present a personal e-portfolio, demonstrating deve...

Learning Outcome 05

Present a personal e-portfolio, demonstrating development towards the NMBA Midwifery Standards for Practice using examples of skill development and midwifery practice in a range of situations.

Content

Topics will include: 

Legal and professional practice 

  • Scope of practice 
  • Assertive communication skills
  • Documentation and use of health informatics and health technology 
  • Medication knowledge and administration 
  • Introduction to course requirements including Community Engagement (CE), course experiences and the Continuity of Care Experiences (CCE) 
  • Behavioural expectations 
  • Documentation 
  • Confidentiality and informed consent 
  • Scope of practice 
  • Professional boundaries 

Midwifery knowledge and practice 

  • Assessment  
  • Revise interviewing and history taking techniques in relation to midwifery practice  
  • Antenatal assessment including abdominal examination 
  • Ongoing woman and fetal wellbeing assessment 
  • Introduction to early labour assessment 
  • Introduction to postnatal assessment of mother and baby 
  • Labour and birth care 
  • Care of the woman and her unborn baby  
  • Supporting a woman and her birth companions in early labour 
  • Non-pharmacological therapies 
  • Placenta  
  • Postnatal care 
  • Promoting bonding and establishing breastfeeding 
  • Assessment and care of the well mother and baby 
  • Introduction to the Continuity of Care Experience (CCE) 
  • Expectations 
  • Resources  
  • Documentation 
  • Confidentiality  
  • Scope of practice 
  • Professional boundaries 

 Midwifery as primary health care  

  • Health education and promotion 
  • Referral to community support networks 

Reflective and ethical practice 

  • Maintaining a professional e-portfolio 
  • Reflective practice 
  • Identifying and responding to own and others’ learning needs 
  • Self-care in midwifery 
  • Evidence-based practice 

Assessment strategy and rationale

A range of assessment procedures consistent with the University assessment requirements will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes. These assessments are required to build student knowledge and skills which, by the conclusion of this program, will enable the student to graduate as a safe and effective midwife.

Assessment 1 (hurdle task): Completion of the hurdle task will demonstrate competence in safe medication administration and preparation for clinical placement (Students have unlimited attempts to complete prior to attending placement).

Assessment 2 (hurdle task): An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) will provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate developed skills in the safety of a simulated environment (Students have a maximum of 2 attempts). 

Assessment 3 (hurdle task): Development of a professional midwifery portfolio will allow the students to showcase their clinical learning experiences in a professional manner ensuring that documentation meets the professional legal requirements for practice experiences. (Students must submit within five days of completion of placement to submit documents and will have 2 attempts). ALL assessment components are required to be submitted AND marked as satisfactory to pass the unit. (Detailed information available in Canvas under Assignments and Assessment Information).

In order to pass the unit, students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome, pass hurdle tasks, and attend 100% of laboratory classes and stipulated hours of clinical placement.

As per the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council guidelines, only students who have demonstrated the requisite knowledge and skills required for safe practice are eligible for professional experience placement. In accordance with this, all students are required to satisfactorily complete an Objective Structured Clinical Examination and satisfy the attendance requirements.

Overview of assessments

Assessment Task 1: Medicine Calculations

Assessment Task 1: Medicine Calculations

Weighting

Hurdle

Learning Outcomes LO2
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC5

Assessment Task 2: Objective Structured Clinica...

Assessment Task 2: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

Enables students to demonstrate competency in professional behaviour, communication skills and safe and effective implementation of midwifery skills and knowledge.

Weighting

Hurdle

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC4, GC5, GC7, GC12

Assessment Task 3: Professional Placement Docu...

Assessment Task 3: Professional Placement Documentation

Enables students to present their clinical experiences in a professional manner, inclusive of all unit requirements, ensuring that documentation meets the professional and legal requirements for practice.

Weighting

Hurdle

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4, GC5, GC6, GC7, GC12

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This introduction to midwifery professional practice unit uses student-centred, active learning to build foundational knowledge and skills for midwifery practice. Modes of delivery combine self-paced online learning, real-time classes, supervised clinical practicum (160 hours), and diverse group learning activities, including scenario-based learning, skills demonstrations, simulation, the Continuity of Care Experience, story sharing and other Aboriginal ways of learning.

Mandatory Documentation for Professional Experience Placements.

All FHS students who undertake placements as part of their course must meet all mandatory State or Territory legal and industry policy pre-placement requirements. Students are required to collect and submit each compliance item to InPlace as directed by your individual dashboard and the set due dates as per the professional experience placement team. Further information related to mandatory requirements and submission of documentation can be found on the Work Integrated Learning site via the student portal.

Please note: Students cannot be allocated to professional practice experience placements until all documentation has been received. Failure to submit mandatory documentation within the designated timeframe will result in a Fail grade for the unit as per Academic Regulations section 8.

Additionally, in order to safely enjoy the opportunity of participating in classes in the Specialised Learning Environments (Science and Simulation Laboratories), individuals are required to complete a Mandatory Laboratory Safety Orientation prior to attending the first day of clinical skills laboratory

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Midwife Standards for Practice

In connection to the learning outcomes, these Midwife standards for practice provide a framework for midwifery practice in all contexts. They also inform women, and others including consumers, those who regulate, educate, collaborate with and manage midwives on what to expect from a midwife’s practice.

  • Relating to

    Promotes health and wellbeing through evidence-based midwifery practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4

  • Relating to

    Identifies what is important to women as the foundation for using evidence to promote informed decision-making, participation in care, and self-determination

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4

  • Relating to

    Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings, for safe, quality midwifery practice  

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4

  • Relating to

    Uses health assessment and health education to support birth and reproductive health, and minimise the potential for complications

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4

  • Relating to

    Undertakes ongoing processes of reflection to ensure professional judgements acknowledge how personal culture impacts on practice 

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4

  • Relating to

    Supports the development, implementation and evaluation of evidenced-based health initiatives and programs, and

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4

  • Relating to

    Engages in professional relationships and respectful partnerships

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4

  • Relating to

    Supports the choices of the woman, with respect for families and communities in relation to maternity care

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4

  • Relating to

    Partners with women to strengthen women’s capabilities and confidence to care for themselves and their families

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4

  • Relating to

    Develops, maintains and concludes professional relationships in a way that differentiates the boundaries between professional and personal relationships, and

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4

  • Relating to

    Demonstrates the capability and accountability for midwifery practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5

  • Relating to

    Understands their scope of practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5

  • Relating to

    Practises within relevant legal parameters and professional standards, codes and guidelines

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5

  • Relating to

    Undertakes comprehensive assessments

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and wellbeing of women, communities and populations

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Uses assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Analyses information and data and communicates assessments and anticipated outcomes as the basis for midwifery practice, and

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Assesses the resources that are available to inform planning.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Develops a plan for midwifery practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4

  • Relating to

    Interprets assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan for practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4

  • Relating to

    Collaboratively develops plans until options, priorities, goals, actions, anticipated outcomes and timeframes are agreed with the woman, and/or relevant others

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4

  • Relating to

    Co-ordinates resources effectively and efficiently for planned actions, and

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4

  • Relating to

    Documents, evaluates and modifies plans to facilitate the anticipated outcomes.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4

  • Relating to

    Provides safety and quality in midwifery practice 

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4

  • Relating to

    Practises to achieve the agreed goals and anticipated outcomes that meet the needs of the woman

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4

  • Relating to

    Is responsible for consultation and referral and/or escalation in situations that are outside the individual’s scope of practice, and

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4

  • Relating to

    Evaluates outcomes to improve midwifery practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4

  • Relating to

    Evaluates and monitors progress towards planned goals and anticipated outcomes

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4

  • Relating to

    Revises plan and actions based on evidence and what is learned from evaluation

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Cusack, L., & Smith, M. (2019). Portfolios for Nursing, Midwifery and other Health Professions (4th ed.). Elsevier.

Bryant, B., Knights, K., Rowland, A., & Darroch, S. (2018). Pharmacology for Health Professionals (5th ed.). Elsevier. 

Johnson, R., & Taylor, W., De-Vitry Smith, S., Bayes, S. (2018). Skills for Midwifery Practice Australian & New Zealand Edition (1st ed.). Elsevier. 

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia [NMBA]. (2013). Code of ethics for midwives. International Confederation of Midwives

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia [NMBA]. (2018). Code of conduct for midwives. Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia [NMBA]. (2018). Midwife standards for practice. Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. 

Page, L., & McCandlish, R. (2006). The New Midwifery: Science and Sensitivity in Practice (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone.  

Pairman, S., Tracey, S., Dahlen, H., & Dixon, L. (2018). Midwifery: Preparation for Practice (4th ed.). Elsevier. 

Taylor, B. (2010). Reflective Practice for Healthcare Professionals: A Practical Guide (3rd ed.). Open University Press.  

Wylie, L. & Bryce, H. (2016) The Midwives' Guide to Key Medical Conditions (2nd ed.). Elsevier.

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