Professional Orientation (Midwifery) (11294.1)

Please note these are the 2023 details for this unit
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Professional Orientation (Midwifery)
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-Campus
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Health
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Discipline Of Midwifery Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit Band 1 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 1 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit focuses on the transition into university, and looks forward towards the transition out of university and into the workplace as a midwife. All aspects of the unit will be considered through an evidence-based professional lens (i.e. not simply foundational university skills, but putting these skills within their professional contexts). This unit emphasises active learning, engagement and collaboration among students and within teams. The student will examine core professional issues as well as creative and entrepreneurial aspects of the profession. Initiation of a midwifery identity occurs through career planning and the commencement of an ePortfolio.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Identify the personal skills, capabilities and knowledge necessary to meet the NMBA Standards for Practice;
2. Map out their academic and professional trajectories over the next five years in an ePortfolio;
3. Analyse, understand and discuss core professional issues in midwifery; and
4. Demonstrate the literacies and skills required to produce quality academic work.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

Enrolment in HLB001 Bachelor of Midwifery.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2024 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2023 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 06 February 2023 On-Campus Dr Sally Muggleton
2024 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 05 February 2024 On-Campus Dr Sally Muggleton
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

There is only one recommended textbook for the Bachelor of Midwifery:

  • Pairman, S., Tracy, S., Dahlen, H. & Dixon, L. (Eds.) (2019). Midwifery, preparation for practice (4th edn.).  Elsevier: Sydney. 

The following is a list of readings that may be useful for this unit:

  • Brown, A. (2016). Breastfeeding uncovered: who really decides how we feed our babies? London: Pinter & Martin 
  • Byrom, S. & Downe, S. (Eds) (2015). The roar behind the silence. Why kindness, compassion and respect matter in maternity care. UK: Pinter & Martin
  • Cassidy, T. (2007). Birth: a history. London: Chatto & Windus
  • Craswell, G. (2005). Writing for academic purposes: a postgraduate guide. London: Sage
  • Crowther, S. & Hall, J. (Eds) (2018.) Spirituality and Childbirth. London: Routledge
  • Davies, L., Daellenbach, R. & Kensington, M. (Eds) (2011). Sustainability, Midwifery and Birth. London: Routledge
  • Fahy, K., Foureur, M. & Hastie, C. (Eds) (2008). Birth Territory and Midwifery Guardianship: theory for practice, education and research. Sydney: Elsevier
  • Kirkham, M. (Ed) (2010). The Midwife-Mother Relationship (2nd edn.) Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave MacMillan 
  • Palmer, G. (2016). Why the politics of breastfeeding matter. London: Pinter & Martin
  • Squire, C. (Ed) (2017). The social context of birth. (3rd edn.). New York: CRC Press
  • Walsh, D. (2012). Evidence and Skills for Normal Labour and Birth. A guide for midwives. London, United Kingdom: Routledge

There may be other set and/or suggested readings associated with the weekly seminar topics. These will be provided through the library link on the unit's Canvas site  

You are also encouraged to access up to date information from relevant midwifery/health journals/databases such as:

  • Birth
  • Birth issues
  • British Journal of Midwifery
  • Evidence-based Midwifery
  • Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health
  • Maternal and Child Nutrition
  • Midwifery
  • New Zealand College of Midwives Journal
  • The Practicing Midwife
  • Women and Birth  
  • UpToDate database

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

General guidelines for a written paper (if requested):

  • Presentation: The paper should be submitted in a word document, with 1.5 line spacing and a normal (2.5 cm) margin on all sides. Pages should be numbered
  • Structure: Academic writing style must be maintained throughout the assessments. There are many texts available about organising and presenting papers in the library and online. 
  • Clarity and Expression: Concepts should be discussed clearly and concisely.  Assessments must demonstrate correct grammatical expression and spelling.  Poor grammar obscures meaning.  It is very useful to ask someone else to proof read your submission to eliminate errors.
  • Referencing requirements: Students must use the APA method of referencing throughout their assessments. The following useful resource on referencing is available at: https://canberra.libguides.com/referencing  

Returning assessments and feedback to students:

  • Assessments will be returned electronically via the unit's Canvas site with feedback attached.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is not offerred

Academic integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.

To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.

Use of Text-Matching Software

The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.

Participation requirements

Attendance at classes is compulsory in this course, as per the Bachelor of Midwifery curriculum approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia in 2018.  Because we understand that students have multi-rolled lives, seminar absences in the period from the beginning of planned classes until the end of the semester, will be accepted.  However, these absences are tolerated based on the expectation that students will seek out information on content and processes which they have missed.  If students regularly miss timetabled seminars a 500-word synopsis about their learning on the topic/s of any missed sessions may be required to be submitted.

Required IT skills

Basic computer literacy skills will be required. The Library is an excellent resource for IT skills related to information searching. 

In-unit costs

You do not have to purchase texts for this unit but as busy students who are also involved in midwifery practice, you may find it most useful to do so. Texts recommended for other units in the Bachelor of Midwifery course are also suitable for this unit.   

Work placement, internships or practicums

Not applicable 

Additional information

Midwifery is a complex course because of both the theory and practice requirements, so please do not remain quiet if you are worried. The Unit Convener and the Course Convener are here to help you.  We want you to become useful and connected midwives by learning in a supported environment, so please let us know if you feel quite challenged.  Most things can be sorted out quickly and easily if we know. We will also help with more complex issues.

Announcements: Announcements made at seminars are deemed to be made to the whole group. Important announcements will be repeated on the unit website. Please check the Professional Orientation (Midwifery) Canvas site and your UC email for messages daily.

The Midwifery Practice Room (10A02) and Midwifery Simulation Space is available for students for private study, group work and practising skills/tasks when it is not in use for timetabled classes.  

Next step

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