How is the Midwifery course structured?
The modular approach to your programme’s theoretical content, supports the application of theoretical knowledge to the clinical learning experiences of self-and others; for example, understanding of fetal heart rate patterns during labour and birth.
The experience of Service Users is a key learning tool throughout the programme and alongside the pregnant women and people, partners and families you meet on placement, you will have the university-based opportunities to hear the experiences of, for example, people with learning disabilities.
What other opportunities are available on the Midwifery course?
Other teaching and learning opportunities will include, lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials; clinical skills and simulation teaching in our clinical skills centre, and tutor guided online learning using our online teaching platform, BlackBoard Ultra. There is also the expectation that, as an adult learner, students will engage in a range of self-directed study and reflective activities. Group learning activities are supported where students learn collaboratively with and from other students and academic staff, developing support networks and a professional identity.
What support is available on Northumbria’s Midwifery course?
Students will be supported to engage in the development of professional, personal, and graduate capabilities via the personal tutor process and through the Midwifery Ongoing Record of Achievement, which is an e-portfolio which captures your progress towards Proficiency as a midwife.
During each clinical learning block there are a series of contacts with the University programme team to enable reflective learning, knowledge/skill consolidation and peer and tutor support across the programme.
What does each year of the course involve?
The practice learning plan has been developed to enable exploration of continuity of care and carer across the programme and in differing contexts. In year one, this offers participation in care provision across the childbearing journey.
This culminates in year three, when student midwives undertake the continuity of carer role for a small group of women and people throughout their childbirth experience. Students will leave the programme confident in their
ability to demonstrate the skills and attributes required for continuity of care and carer and with a positive mindset for working with women and people, new-borns, families, and communities.
This strengths-based approach results in midwives who take responsibility for their own professional practice and ongoing development.
In your final year, you will reach Proficiency in your Midwifery Ongoing Record of Achievement and complete a dissertation; these enable you to know that you have the range of knowledge and skills needed for contemporary midwifery practice as you apply for registration as a midwife.