James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2020

NS4008 - Capstone - Midwifery

Subject Description

This subject has been designed as a capstone to the four years of midwifery education provided in the Bachelor of Nursing Science/Bachelor of Midwifery. The midwifery capstone is intended to integrate the students' ability to critically reflect upon discipline specific knowledge through authentic learning experiences within a supportive environment and culture. A crucial aspect of the capstone is to foster each student's ability to exercise clinical and professional judgement, facilitating a smooth transition to their new role as a registered midwife. While undertaking the Bachelor of Nursing Science/Bachelor of Midwifery students have acquired a critical mass of midwifery knowledge and practice. Content will explore actual and predicted roles and responsibilities of the midwife within the wider socio-political agendas locally, nationally and globally. The capstone should assess the student as having attained both the graduate attributes and qualities and the NMBA (2018) Midwife Standards for Practice congruent with the expectations of an entry level graduate midwife.

Learning Outcomes

• 1. Defend the centrality of the relationship of women to the practice of midwifery, that is inclusive of the diverse social, cultural and spiritual, values and beliefs unique to each woman, upholding the individual's right to autonomy and which, interprets the contextual environment for the woman and her family to support woman-centred care
• 2. Intergrate the ability to retrieve, critically evaluate and apply evidence in midwifery practice; 3. Demonstrate compliance commensurate with that of an entry level graduate midwife, of professional, legal and ethical standards that have implications for practice
• 4. Critically evaluate situations, recognise duty of care and be prepared to act upon unsafe practice in midwifery care; 5. Translate, interpret and extrapolate upon the requisite knowledge of midwifery practice to influence safe, effective and collaborative woman-centred health outcomes, by applying unique cognitive, technical and creative skills within a clearly defined and accepted scope of practice
• 6. Analyse, consult with, and refer to, a midwife or appropriate health care provider when the needs of the woman and/or her baby fall outside of his/her own scope of practice; 7. Apply comprehensive clinical reasoning, analysis and synthesis of therapeutic interventions underpinned by physiological and pathophysiological principles to the care of women; 8. Articulate accurate and clear communication with the woman, her family, communities and members of the health care system in a timely and appropriate manner
• 9. Summarise the barriers to equity and access to health care for women, families and communities within Australia; 10. Critically reflect to identify and assess those women facing barriers to participation; and 11. Demonstrate care consistent with the philosophy, ethics and NMBA (2018) Midwife Standards for Practice commensurate to the expectations of an entry level graduate midwife

Subject Assessment

• Invigilated > Presentations - (50%)
• Non-Invigilated > Essays - (50%)

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Special Assessment Requirements

1) NGP - Clinical Placement (Mandatory attendance and pass) 2) Midwifery clinical competency workbook - completed

Availabilities