Handbook : Course informationEdith Cowan University

Course Information

Bachelor of Science (Nursing)/Bachelor of Science (Midwifery)

Effective from 01-JAN-2023 : Code Y76

This course offers an innovative and broad study approach, preparing students for flexible career options in dynamic healthcare settings. The course is comprehensive and unique in WA in preparing graduates for entry-level practice in both midwifery and nursing. It provides students with the knowledge and skills to deliver high quality care within the healthcare environment.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Clinical or professional work placement Requirement

Students are required to successfully complete 840 hours of nursing clinical practice and 720 hours of midwifery clinical practice. Students are required to follow ten women throughout their pregnancy journey, this includes being on call to attend them when they give birth, accumulating a further 200 hours of midwifery clinical placement. Students enrolled in entry-to-practice programs will be required to travel to professional experience placements in a variety of health services within the region of the campus they are enrolled and may be required to travel to other regions of Western Australia. Students enrolled in Bunbury Campus will be required to travel to Perth for some clinical placements. Students are responsible for any travel and accommodation related costs. Professional experience placements require rostered shifts covering the 24-hour period, inclusive of weekends and public holidays. Students are expected not to undertake paid employment during a period of full-time professional experience placement, as it is a requirement that students have a sufficient length of breaks between shifts.

Duty of care

To be eligible to undertake clinical practice and fulfil their duty of care, students are required to complete clinical practice orientation, risk management training and obtain various screening, vaccination and clearances, as appropriate on commencement of the course and in subsequent semesters. A list of these requirements is accessible on the School of Nursing and Midwifery website. Due to the practical nature of the nursing and midwifery professions, there are inherent requirements applicable to this course that may impact upon the success of some potential students. Applicants and students with a disability or other issue likely to impact on their ability to perform in practice are encouraged to contact the Course Coordinator to discuss. More information can be found at https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/nursing-and-midwifery/nursing-and-midwifery-clinical-placements. There may be vaccination or other similar requirements, including those imposed by government or third-party placement hosts, that apply to placements which form part of your Course. Please consider this requirement before enrolling in this Course and speak with the Course Coordinator if this raises any concerns. You may not be able to complete placement units if you are unable to meet the placement requirements, which may impact your ability to complete this course.

Attendance requirements

Students will undertake clinical practicum during the hours laid down by their host clinical agency. These full-time clinical blocks may occur at times outside the identified semester weeks. Additionally, pre-identified clinical practicum periods may change with minimal notice to students due to circumstances outside the control of the School.

Professional practice rules

Registered nurse standards for practice Registered midwife standards for practice Professional codes of conduct

Implications of failing

The practicum units are a fundamental course requirement and some units may only be attempted once unless otherwise determined by the Progression Panel. Failure to pass these units may result in exclusion from the course.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Apply broad health knowledge to a range of theoretical and practical nursing and midwifery situations.
2. Critically analyse, interpret and conceptualise complex nursing and midwifery practice.
3. Anticipate and identify potential challenges and develop appropriate nursing and midwifery strategies and solutions.
4. Access, evaluate and synthesise relevant information from multiple sources using digital technologies to inform nursing and midwifery practice.
5. Independently communicate nursing and midwifery knowledge, concepts and values clearly and coherently.
6. Demonstrate a global outlook with respect for cultural diversity, including Indigenous cultural competence.
7. Work collaboratively within nursing and midwifery teams and with other health care professionals to ethically and effectively respond to diverse health care challenges.
8. Demonstrate autonomy, accountability and judgement for own learning and professional nursing and midwifery practice in accordance with the NMBA Codes of Practice.
9. Demonstrate the Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife Standards for Practice required by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia for registration.

Registration

Students will need to graduate to be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia is required to practice in the profession.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 4)

All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• AQF Diploma or equivalent;
• Undergraduate Certificate;
• Successfully completed 0.5 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test;
• University Preparation Course;
• Indigenous University Orientation Course; or
• Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment.

English Language requirement (Band 5)

In addition to satisfying ECU minimum English standard requirements for this course, all applicants must also demonstrate English language proficiency as specified in the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australias (NMBA) English language skills registration standard. (https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx)

These requirements are as follows:

• IELTS Academic with a minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
• Occupational English Test (OET) with a minimum score of B in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
• Pearson English Test (PTE) Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
• TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test:
  • 24 for listening;
  • 24 for reading,
  • 27 for writing, and
  • 23 for speaking, or
• Completion of at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country as defined by the NMBA (including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12) with a supporting written declaration to confirm that your primary language is English, or
• Completion of at least 5 years full-time equivalent continuous combined secondary and/or tertiary and/or vocational education taught and assessed in a recognised country as defined by the NMBA, with a supporting written declaration to confirm whether your primary language is English.  Note: The 5 years does not include the proposed ECU study. 

Note:  English tests must be completed within 2 years of the proposed course commencement date and additional requirements may apply in relation to acceptable number of test sittings and combined scores across test sittings.

ECUs minimum English standard requirements for this course may be satisfied with one of the following:

• Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
• Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
• University Preparation Course;
• Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
• Aboriginal Student Intake Test;*
• AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree; or
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent).

Course Specific Admission Requirements

All applicants are required to provide a personal statement. This statement must outline their understanding of the Registered Nurse's role and of a Registered Midwife's role, their reasons for wishing to undertake this course, and an outline of their plan for managing the workload.

Portfolio pathway applications are not accepted for this course.

Course Duration

• Full Time: 4 Years
• Part Time: 8 Years

Course Delivery

• Joondalup: Full Time
• South West (Bunbury): Full Time

Non standard timetable requirements

Prospective applicants are advised that there is an 'on call' component to this course. It is a requirement in Australia that midwifery students provide Continuity of Care to ten women throughout the course of their studies; this includes being on call to attend them when they give birth.

Course Coordinator

Dr Di BLOXSOME

Course Structure

# Designated Unit - a Unit or Unit of Competency which a School has designated as a fundamental course requirement and may only be attempted once unless otherwise determined by the School Progression Panel.