What will I learn on this module?
This module enables you to demonstrate that you have met the clinical proficiencies required by the NMC Standards for pre-registration midwifery education and can safely and effectively make the transition from student midwife to newly qualified midwifery registrant.
The expectations of professional practice and the NMC Code will be consolidated for example, in relation to the concept of advocacy, protection of vulnerable children and adults, including in end-of-life care. Safe practice is embedded within the module as you revisit skills such as infection control, life support, suturing, Newborn Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) and the management of medicines, including meeting prescriber ready status.
The emphasis of your learning will be your role in leading and managing universal care and contributing to additional midwifery care needs tailored to women and families’ individual circumstances, as you demonstrate increasing autonomy in your practice. Continuity opportunities are pivotal to your practice; these provide you with the opportunity to develop your practice and confidence and demonstrate that you have achieved the proficiencies required to become a midwife. Therefore, caseload midwifery is a key focus in your practice learning, providing the opportunity to manage a small caseload of women through their pregnancy journey. You will also engage critically with research relating to models of midwifery care within the UK and globally.
How will I learn on this module?
You will learn through practice learning, independent learning, peer-assisted learning, interprofessional learning, simulation, e-learning and lectures. You will undertake self-assessment of your own needs for the achievement of competence as a midwife. We are mindful that you will have a range of preferences for student-led and group work, but we do expect you all to thoroughly prepare for and participate in these sessions.
Practice learning will be provided by clinical colleagues; those assessing your learning have undertaken appropriate post-registration preparation in order to make robust assessment of practice outcomes. You will be required to undertake 24/7 care to support women who you agree to support on a ‘caseload basis’. This practice-based experience will provide authentic opportunities for you to develop personal and professional resilience and resources to support service transformation and change, that the role of the midwife requires.
Competent performance of Newborn Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) will be assessed in a clinical skills examination (OSCE) in this module. Skills workshops will support the development of these skills, complemented by exposure to NIPE in practice with a specific week in practice allocated to this prior to your NIPE assessment. Medicines calculations and management is also a component of this module; learning is achieved through completing online modules on the web-based medicines platform and application during practical skills sessions and in practice. Drug calculation assessment will be completed via the web-based platform and successful completion of the exam will be collated into your eMORA and included as evidence in discussion with your PA as part of your medicines management proficiency. You are required to pass the numeracy assessment at 100%.
Attendance in placement is required at 100%. Your placement hours in Year Three: 930
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Your learning will be supported by the provision of formative feedback from academic staff and peers as you participate in learning activities. Fifty percent of programme time is in clinical practice, where you will be supported by experienced midwives, Midwifery Link Tutors (MLT), a Practice Learning Tutor (PLT) and Practice Placement Facilitators (PPF) who work jointly between the NHS Trust hospitals and the programme team to develop and monitor the standard of practice placements, and are available to support students in the clinical learning environment.
Extensive support is available online, as part of the University’s commitment to technology enhanced learning. This includes the use of BlackBoard Ultra as the electronic platform for all module content and eMORA – the electronic practice document. You can read more about supervision in practice on the NMC website: https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards-for-education-and-training/standards-for-student-supervision-and-assessment/
The University Libraries at both Coach Lane Campus and City Campus offer an extensive collection of material, both hard copy and electronic, access to international databases and training in information retrieval. The module will be supported by University library staff and resources, including study skills support packages. You can access the interactive training via the library webpages or the following link: http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/learning-skills
Ask4Help Online (accessed through your student portal) provides a comprehensive range of answers to frequently asked questions and is of benefit to students as a central point of reference for information about many different topics. Ask4Help face to face service points include those located in both university libraries.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. You will critique and convey your understanding of midwifery practice, utilising underpinning knowledge and theory to demonstrate achievement of the standards of proficiency for midwives (NMC, 2019).
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
2. You will demonstrate completion of the minimum requirements, skills and attributes required for final progression to registration.
3.You will critically reflect on your skills and abilities to develop healthy, respectful relationships with women, fathers/partners which promote positive physical, psychological, social, spiritual and emotional outcomes as you provide universal and additional care.
4. Demonstrate competent application of the Newborn Infant Physical Examination (NIPE)
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5.You will display the requirements of the NMC Code and adhere to the legal and ethical frameworks related to the registered midwife as you consider the challenges arising in contemporary maternity care in the UK and globally.
How will I be assessed?
Formative: Verbal formative feedback will be provided in taught sessions to enhance your development of practical skills, and where you will rehearse skills such as: NIPE, perineal suturing and life support. This will include peer review, in line with the NMC Code and Standards of proficiency.
NIPE workshops are provided to support development of skills and competency toward assessment.
Formative feedback in practice will be provided during the year from Practice Supervisors and Assessor based on the proficiencies you need to achieve for this year of study. You will have two scheduled formative review points during the year with your Practice Assessor.
Summative assessment:
OSCE – NIPE (45mins)
MLO’s 1, 3, 4, 5; 100%
eMORA
MLO 2; Pass/ fail.
Feedback from review discussion with AA/PA.
Numeracy Exam – 1hr 100%
Module abstract
This module will equip you with the clinical experiences and knowledge necessary to meet the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Standards of proficiency for midwives (2019). By providing care for a caseload of women you will enhance your communication and relationship-building skills with women and their families, ensuring the care you provide promotes positive physical, social, emotional and psychological outcomes for women, babies and partners. The module will comprehensively address core skills for providing care to women and babies throughout the childbearing period. This will include topics such as safeguarding, infection control, basic life support, neonatal life support, medicines management, and NIPE, all in accordance with ethical, legal, and professional practice principles. Upon successful completion of the module, you will be appropriately prepared for the transition to your role as a newly qualified midwife.
