92689 Leadership in Midwifery
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
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 consider and develop leadership skills and attributes as they transition into professional practice. Students are supported to consider all forms of leadership in midwifery, and to identify how they plan to contribute to the overall strengthening of leadership in the profession. Students explore the various forms that leadership takes in everyday practice and discuss different pathways to leadership positions. With a focus on early-career development of leadership attributes and behaviours, students are provided the opportunity to take the lead in supporting first-year midwifery students through supportive supervision and mentoring. The subject encourages students to engage with their profession in a responsible and honourable way, to develop a life-long learning approach, a sense of constructive agency and to become a positive influence in both the work life of others, the profession, and the women accessing maternity services.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Identify professional development needs and develop a strategy for transitioning from student to new graduate through supporting and mentoring students new to the profession |
|---|---|
| B. | Recognise the importance of leadership in midwifery and identify the role all midwives have in developing professional leadership abilities |
| C. | Reflect on different roles and pathways to becoming a leader |
| D. | Develop a strategy that includes ongoing professional development for effecting positive change within their workplaces and the profession |
| E. | Discuss the continuing evolution of midwifery leadership in global, national, state and local contexts |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Appreciate the centrality of the relationship with each woman to the practice of midwifery (1.2)
- Are professionally competent midwives who provide safe and effective midwifery care using intelligent kindness (2.0)
- Communicate effectively using spoken, written and non-verbal language across a range of contexts and to diverse audiences (2.3)
- 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)
- Practise and meet the full scope of the midwife as per the International Confederation of Midwifery definition (2.6)
- Work collaboratively in order to provide excellence in maternity care (3.0)
- Influence change and contribute to the development of midwifery as a strong profession through leadership, mentoring and positive role modelling (3.1)
- 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)
- Are resilient, emotionally competent midwives who foster human flourishing (4.0)
- Assume responsibility for self-care and self-development as a midwife (4.3)
- Integrate strategies for ongoing personal and professional development (4.4)
- Demonstrate knowledge of the broader health system and advocate for midwifery as a local and global public health strategy (5.2)
- Are professionally engaged critical thinkers who take a lively and questioning approach and embrace lifelong learning (6.0)
- Actively contribute to the development of midwifery as a profession (6.2)
Teaching and learning strategies
In this subject, students participate in a range of teaching and learning strategies that are designed to assist them to develop understanding and awareness of the importance of leadership to enhance the discipline of midwifery and the position of midwives in the broader health sector.
Blended approach
This subject benefits from both the real-time workshops and access to online resources including videos and learning modules. Classes will be conducted in blended online and face-to-face mode including the opportunity to hear from guest speakers who will enable students to clarify, discuss and develop critical thinking directly related to leadership in midwifery and role the new-graduate midwife can play.
Online activities will be discussed in class to share learning, experiences and reflections. Online resources include information and clips from groups such as the International Confederation of Midwives, White Ribbon Alliance, and the Australian College of Midwives.
Content (topics)
- Identification and development of leadership skills as a midwife
- Mentoring and other ways to support students
- Differences between leadership and management
- Development of midwifery career
- Research as leadership
- Leading Practice change
- Showcasing Indigenous leadership
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Advocacy Strategy for Practice Change/Project
| Intent: | The assessment prepares graduating students to consider their role in leading change and professional leadership more broadly. The assessment provides the opportunity for students to examine change processes and develop a practical approach for leading professional and practice advancement. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A and B This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.0, 2.3, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.0, 4.3, 4.4, 5.2, 6.0 and 6.2 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 1200-1500 words |
| Criteria: | See Canvas for criteria. |
Assessment task 2: Mentoring Interview, Critique and Reflection
| Intent: | This assessment requires students to continue to engage with their allocated mentee midwifery student. As part of the mentoring relationship, the mentor student is expected to meet with their mentee at time points across the semester. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): B, C, D and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.2, 2.0, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.0, 4.3 and 4.4 |
| Type: | Reflection |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 60% |
| Criteria: | See Canvas for criteria. |
Other resources
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For other resources/ information refer to the Faculty of Health website (www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-health) and Canvas at: https://canvas.uts.edu.au/.
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Improve your academic and English language skills
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HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS staff are also available for drop-in consultations at the UTS Library. Phone (02) 9514 9733.
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