92366 Transition to Professional Practice
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Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject challenges students to prepare for their transition into the role of a beginning graduate midwife. It builds on the first-year subject 92350 Becoming a Midwife by focusing on how students prepare for a professional role using the ethico-legal framework and NMBA Midwife Standards for Practice. It prepares students to take ownership of their ongoing professional identity through the use of an e-portfolio, which involves writing competent resumes and appearing confident in job interviews. In preparation for entering the workforce, students also explore strategies for self-care and work–life balance to sustain them throughout their midwifery career. This subject motivates students to engage with their profession in a responsible and honourable way, to develop a sense of constructive agency and to become a positive influence in the work life of others.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Analyse the work environments of the new graduate midwife and identify strategies for a smooth transition to practice |
|---|---|
| B. | Investigate and discuss the concepts of self-care and work-life balance in relation to sustaining midwifery practice |
| C. | Discuss the value and process of mentoring, peer support and professional development of others |
| D. | Develop a comprehensive curriculum vitae and prepare for a job interview |
| E. | Analyse the midwife’s professional responsibility and personal accountability for practice |
| F. | Demonstrate an understanding of ethical behavior towards women, colleagues and communities and assess strategies to address ethical issues in clinical practice |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Are professionally competent midwives who provide safe and effective midwifery care using intelligent kindness (2.0)
- Demonstrate critical thinking and sound clinical judgment that is based on evidence and reflects appropriate reasoning within the relevant professional codes and guidelines (2.2)
- Communicate effectively using spoken, written and non-verbal language across a range of contexts and to diverse audiences (2.3)
- Utilise information technologies with a high level of literacy (2.4)
- Demonstrate competence in all clinical skills at the level of a new graduate midwife and be eligible to apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia for registration as a midwife (2.5)
- Demonstrate respectful and collegial collaboration with women, professional peers and other stakeholders (3.2)
- Participate effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team (3.3)
- Practice and promote the principles of self-care that build resilience and foster human flourishing (4.1)
- Integrate strategies for ongoing personal and professional development (6.2)
Teaching and learning strategies
In this subject, students participate in a range of learning and teaching strategies that are designed to assist in developing a deeper understanding of the transition to professional practice and the regulation of the profession in Australia.
ONLINE LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Students access online learning resources including pre-class activities, podcasts, videos and professional literature either prior to or in place of face-to-face attendance. These activities are supported by follow-up in-class activities or in online forums to share learning, experiences and reflections. In particular, students are required to access the resources on the NMBA website that will guide their professional practice (included the codes for practice), the Australian College of Midwives and other professional groups to support their ongoing professional development.
Students are re-introduced to the mindfulness materials that are available on the internet and encouraged to start using these in their day-to-day life with an aim to practice strategies for work/life balance, students are encouraged to engage with and form the habit of using the mindfulness materials available through links on Canvas.
INTERACTIVE LEARNING
Teaching includes group work to enable students to clarify, discuss and develop subject concepts. Students will be provided with information on being a midwife including the application process for a graduate position upon registration. The subject addresses the importance of supporting midwifery and other students in the workplace using collaborative group activities during class time, as this is an important component of transitioning into professional practice.
PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO
Students further develop their professional Portfolio. This online record encourages students to take an active role in the documentation, observation and review of their own progress. It is a powerful tool for focusing awareness or attention on what has been learned throughout the course, self-assessment and the development of a professional identity.
Content (topics)
Transition to professional practice:
- Management of professional relationships
- Self-care strategies, mindfulness and the development of resilience
- Peer mentoring
- Development of professional confidence and leadership skills
- Learning to support students in the workplace
- Professional responsibility and personal accountability
- NMBA professional codes of practice
Attaining a midwifery position:
- Self-assessment
- Writing a job application
- Maintaining a curriculum vitae
- Being successful in a job interview
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Preparation for New Graduate Position
| Intent: | PART A - Cover Letter PART B - Curriculum Vitae PART C - Mock interview for a New Graduate Midwife position |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, C, D, E and F This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.2, 3.3 and 6.2 |
| Type: | Portfolio |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 60% |
| Length: | PART A - Cover Letter: due 5 April 2023 (weight 20%)
PART B - CV: due 5 April 2023 (weight 20%)
PART C - Mock interview for a New Graduate Midwife position: Date and times to be advised (weight 20%)
|
| Criteria: | Assessment criteria is available on Canvas. |
Assessment task 2: Reflection on Professional Identity
| Intent: | This assessment requires the student to reflect on their past, present and future midwifery learning context and refine their professional identity as a soon to be registered midwife. The findings from this assessment will assist the student to review and critique strategies required to successfully complete their Bachelor of Midwifery degree, leading to registration as a midwife. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, E and F This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.0, 2.2, 2.3, 3.3, 4.1 and 6.2 |
| Type: | Reflection |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | PART A: Approximately 250- 400 words (no references required) |
| Criteria: | Assessment criteria is available on Canvas. |
References
Andre, K. & Heartfield, M. (2011). Nursing and midwifery portfolios: Evidence of continuing competency (2nd edn). Churchill Livingstone.
Byrom, S. & Downe, S. (2015). The roar behind the silence: Why kindness, compassion and respect matter in maternity care. Pinter and Martin.
Catling, C., & Rossiter, C. (2020). Midwifery workplace culture in Australia: A national survey of midwives. Women and Birth: Journal of the Australian College of Midwives, 33(5), 464-472. https://doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2019.09.008
Crowther, S., Hunter, B., McAra-Couper, J., Warren, L., Gilkison, A., Hunter, M. & Kirkham, M. (2016). Sustainability and resilience in midwifery: A discussion paper. Midwifery, 40, 40-48. https://doi:10.1016/j.midw.2016.06.005
Department of Education, Employment & Workplace Relations (DEEWR) (2011). Employability skills and attributes framework. DEEWR.
Hunter, B. & Warren, L. (2013). Investigating resilience in midwifery: Final report. Cardiff University.
Kabat-Zinn, J. (2013). Full catastrophe living: How to cope with stress, pain and illness using mindfulness meditation (revised edn). Little Brown Book Group.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) (2018). Midwife Standards for Practice. NMBA.
Pairman, S., Tracy, S., Dahlen, H. & Dixon, L (2019a). Midwifery: Preparation for practice: Book 1 (4th ed). Elsevier.
Pairman, S., Tracy, S., Dahlen, H. & Dixon, L. (2019b). Midwifery: Preparation for practice: Book 2 (4th ed). Elsevier.
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