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.

Content

Topics will include: 

Legal and professional practice 

• NMBA competency standards for the midwife  
• Scope of practice 
• Team work- team building 
• Collaboration and referral 
• Assertive communication skills 
• Leadership and management in midwifery  
• Leadership theory 
• Change theory and change management 
• Assertiveness and self-care  
• Management and business 
• Independent practice
• Leadership in midwifery as a profession  
• Autonomy  
• Professional partnerships 
• Responsibilities and accountability 

 Midwifery knowledge and practice 

• Clinical reasoning and decision making 
• Prioritising and time management skills 
• Delivering quality in midwifery practice: evaluation  
• Clinical risk management 

Midwifery as primary health care  

• Communication with midwives, health care providers and other professionals 
• Professional relationships 

Reflective and ethical practice 

• Mentoring and midwifery practice review strategies 
• Evaluation of practice (self and others) 
• Giving feedback 
• Identifying and meeting learning needs 
•  Continuing professional development 
• Establishing career goals 
• Self-management 
• Portfolio 
•  Evidence-based Practice 

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

Modes of delivery in this unit include online activities and self-directed learning. Consistent with adult learning principles, the teaching and learning strategies used within this mode of delivery will provide students with foundational knowledge and skills relevant to professional midwifery practice. These strategies will provide flexibility for students’ attendance at clinical placements, and also support students in meeting the aim, learning outcomes and graduate attributes of the unit and the broader course learning outcomes. Learning and teaching strategies will reflect respect for the individual as an independent learner. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively with peers.  Scenario-based learning, case-based learning, problem-based learning and inquiry-based learning are all used to support the development of students' independent learning ability. 

Students exiting university need significant life-long learning skills to deliver sound, ongoing, evidence-based graduate practice as a member of the professional workforce. To embed life-long learning skills, students must demonstrate high level reflective capacity to identify what is being done well and what requires additional work in progressing toward required learning outcomes. Located in the third year of the programme, this online theory unit delivers interactive and student-driven learning sessions to extend the community of learners, and increase students’ self-reliance, critical reflection and debate - skills for life-long learning.   

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.

• NMBA(MIDW)1

  Relating to

  Promotes health and wellbeing through evidence-based midwifery practice

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• NMBA(MIDW)1.1

  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, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• NMBA(MIDW)1.2

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• NMBA(MIDW)1.4

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• NMBA(MIDW)1.5

  Relating to

  Supports access to maternity care for the woman

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• NMBA(MIDW)1.7

  Relating to

  Identifies and promotes the role of midwifery practice and the midwifery profession in influencing better health outcomes for women.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• NMBA(MIDW)2

  Relating to

  Engages in professional relationships and respectful partnerships

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO5

• NMBA(MIDW)2.1

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO5

• NMBA(MIDW)2.7

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO5

• NMBA(MIDW)2.8

  Relating to

  Participates in and/or leads collaborative practice.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO5

• NMBA(MIDW)3

  Relating to

  Demonstrates the capability and accountability for midwifery practice

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5

• NMBA(MIDW)3.3

  Relating to

  Participates in own continuing professional development to maintain the required knowledge and skill base for safe and effective practice

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5

• NMBA(MIDW)3.4

  Relating to

  Contributes to a culture that supports learning, teaching, knowledge transfer and critical reflection

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5

• NMBA(MIDW)3.5

  Relating to

  Engages in timely consultation, referral and documentation

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5

• NMBA(MIDW)3.8

  Relating to

  Considers and responds in a timely manner to the health and wellbeing of self and others in relation to the capability for practice.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5

• NMBA(MIDW)4

  Relating to

  Undertakes comprehensive assessments

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5

• NMBA(MIDW)4.3

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5

• NMBA(MIDW)5

  Relating to

  Develops a plan for midwifery practice

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5

• NMBA(MIDW)5.4

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5

• NMBA(MIDW)6

  Relating to

  Provides safety and quality in midwifery practice 

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO4

• NMBA(MIDW)6.1

  Relating to

  Actively contributes to quality improvement and research activities

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO4

• NMBA(MIDW)6.3

  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, LO2, LO4

• NMBA(MIDW)6.4

  Relating to

  Provides and accepts effective and timely direction, allocation, delegation, teaching and supervision

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO4

• NMBA(MIDW)7

  Relating to

  Evaluates outcomes to improve midwifery practice

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5

• NMBA(MIDW)7.1

  Relating to

  Evaluates and monitors progress towards planned goals and anticipated outcomes

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5

• NMBA(MIDW)7.2

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5

• NMBA(MIDW)7.3

  Relating to

  Uses evaluation and reflection to inform future practice and professional development

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5