Unit rationale, description and aim
This unit focuses on the care of neonates with complex needs, leading to admission to a Special Care Nursery or requiring higher level care in a postnatal unit, as the profession strives to keep mothers and their neonates together. The issues confronting the neonate and family during this period and the role of the midwife in facilitating health and wellbeing of the neonate and family are addressed. Ethico-legal issues involved in caring for a neonate with complex needs are explored in the context of professional midwifery practice. This unit is required by students to assist their consolidation of midwifery knowledge and skills, specifically in relation to evidence-based care for neonates with complex care needs.
This aim of this unit is to support students in the development of knowledge and skills regarding the role of the midwife in provision of care to neonates requiring complex care, and in promoting family-centred developmental care through enhancement of the Special Care Nursery environment.
We recognise that people who access maternity care may have diverse gender identities, that those who do can experience marginalisation and oppression, and that using appropriate terminology can help with these community members’ recognition and visibility, acknowledge the variety of pregnancy and birth experiences people may have, and respect individuals’ preferences. To reflect this, terms such as ‘pregnant person’, ‘birthing person’, ‘childbearing people’, ‘parent’ and ‘chestfeeding’ may be used in the midwifery courses at ACU in addition to ‘woman’, ‘mother’, ‘maternity’, ‘maternal’ and ‘breastfeeding’, which are used not to exclude those who do not identify as a woman, but in recognition that women continue to be marginalised and oppressed in many places around the world and to respect their own individual preferences.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Analyse the impact of the Special Care Nursery env...
Learning Outcome 01
Differentiate the role of the midwife within the c...
Learning Outcome 02
Support the family to be self-determining in makin...
Learning Outcome 03
Utilise reflective practice, information and commu...
Learning Outcome 04
Apply the principles of teamwork and self-manageme...
Learning Outcome 05
Plan and evaluate safe, family-centred, culturally...
Learning Outcome 06
Content
Topics will include:
Legal and professional practice
- Scope of practice
- Consultation and collaboration
- Documentation and use of health informatics and health technologies
- Medication knowledge and administration
- Assertive communication skills
Midwifery knowledge and practice
- Fetal and neonatal growth and development
- Assessment of the newborn
- Gestational assessment
- Developmental care
- Parental contact, promoting bonding and attachment
- The neonate with complex needs
- Pre-term
- Intrauterine growth restriction
- Diseases related to respiratory distress
- Macrosomia
- Congenital malformations and genetic disorders
- Metabolic disturbances
- Neonatal abstinence syndrome
- Jaundice
- Infection
- Neurological disorders
- Anaemia
- Care of the neonate with complex needs
- Resuscitation
- Temperature regulation
- Oxygenation
- Metabolic homeostasis
- Pain management
- Care of the family
- Education
- Support and counselling
- Grief and loss
- Transition to parenthood
- Fluid and electrolyte needs of babies
- Nutrition
- Elimination
- Calculating fluid requirements
- Gavage feeding
- Intravenous feeding
- Supplemental feedings
- Breastfeeding
- Neonatal emergency transport service
- Referral, stabilisation and retrieval of the sick or pre-term neonate
Midwifery as primary health care
- Referral to community agencies and support networks
- Cultural safety
Reflective and ethical practice
- Ethico-legal issues
- Informed consent
- Saving very premature babies
- Palliative care
- Self-care
Assessment strategy and rationale
A range of assessment procedures consistent with University assessment requirements will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes.
The written assignment provides students with the opportunity to explore the evidence based practice which impacts the unwell neonate and family, including ethical considerations. Group work, inclusive of an oral presentation, will encourage students to be active in their learning and promote communication skills essential for collaborative practice within the midwifery profession. The examination enables students to demonstrate overall knowledge and understanding of content in the unit.
These assessments are required to build student knowledge and skills which, by the conclusion of this programme, will enable the student to graduate as a safe and effective midwife.
Overview of assessments
Written Assignment (2000 words) Enables student...
Written Assignment (2000 words)
Enables students to articulate their knowledge of evidence-based care to neonates requiring complex care, and promotion of family- centred developmental care.
40%
Group Work (including Oral Presentation) Enable...
Group Work (including Oral Presentation)
Enables students to achieve sound communication and teamwork skills and understanding of key issues in care of the neonate requiring complex care.
20%
Examination (2 hours) (Central Examination Period...
Examination (2 hours) (Central Examination Period)
Enables students to articulate overall knowledge and understanding of content in the unit.
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Modes of delivery in this unit are intensive, supplemented with online modules. Consistent with adult learning principles, the teaching and learning strategies used within these modes of delivery will provide students with foundational knowledge and skills relevant to professional midwifery practice. These strategies will provide flexibility for students’ attendance at clinical placements, and also support students in meeting the aim, learning outcomes and graduate attributes of the unit and the broader course learning outcomes. Learning and teaching strategies will reflect respect for the individual as an independent learner. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively with peers. Scenario-based learning, case-based learning, problem-based learning and inquiry-based learning are all used to support the development of students' independent learning ability.
Students exiting university need significant life-long learning skills to deliver sound, ongoing, evidence-based graduate practice as a member of the professional workforce. To embed life-long learning skills, students must demonstrate high level reflective capacity to identify what is being done well and what requires additional work in progressing toward required learning outcomes. Located in the third year of the programme, this theory unit includes intensive face-to-face teaching hours, and an increased online component of learning. The online component delivers interactive and student-driven learning sessions to extend the community of learners, and increase their self-reliance, critical reflection and debate - skills for life-long learning.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Midwife Standards for Practice
In connection to the learning outcomes, these Midwife standards for practice provide a framework for midwifery practice in all contexts. They also inform women, and others including consumers, those who regulate, educate, collaborate with and manage midwives on what to expect from a midwife’s practice.
Relating to
Promotes health and wellbeing through evidence-based midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Identifies what is important to women as the foundation for using evidence to promote informed decision-making, participation in care, and self-determination
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings, for safe, quality midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Uses health assessment and health education to support birth and reproductive health, and minimise the potential for complications
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Undertakes ongoing processes of reflection to ensure professional judgements acknowledge how personal culture impacts on practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Supports access to maternity care for the woman
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Identifies and promotes the role of midwifery practice and the midwifery profession in influencing better health outcomes for women.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Engages in professional relationships and respectful partnerships
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Supports the choices of the woman, with respect for families and communities in relation to maternity care
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Partners with women to strengthen women’s capabilities and confidence to care for themselves and their families
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Practises ethically, with respect for dignity, privacy, confidentiality, equity and justice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Practises without the discrimination that may be associated with race, age, disability, sexuality, gender identity, relationship status, power relations and/or social disadvantage
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Practises cultural safety that is holistic, free of bias and exposes racism
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Practises in a way that respects that family and community underpin the health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Develops, maintains and concludes professional relationships in a way that differentiates the boundaries between professional and personal relationships, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Participates in and/or leads collaborative practice.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Demonstrates the capability and accountability for midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Understands their scope of practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Practises within relevant legal parameters and professional standards, codes and guidelines
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Participates in own continuing professional development to maintain the required knowledge and skill base for safe and effective practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Contributes to a culture that supports learning, teaching, knowledge transfer and critical reflection
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Engages in timely consultation, referral and documentation
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Considers and responds in a timely manner to the health and wellbeing of self and others in relation to the capability for practice.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Undertakes comprehensive assessments
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO5
Relating to
Works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and wellbeing of women, communities and populations
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO5
Relating to
Uses assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO5
Relating to
Analyses information and data and communicates assessments and anticipated outcomes as the basis for midwifery practice, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO5
Relating to
Develops a plan for midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Interprets assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan for practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Collaboratively develops plans until options, priorities, goals, actions, anticipated outcomes and timeframes are agreed with the woman, and/or relevant others
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Co-ordinates resources effectively and efficiently for planned actions, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Documents, evaluates and modifies plans to facilitate the anticipated outcomes.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Provides safety and quality in midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5, LO6
Relating to
Practises to achieve the agreed goals and anticipated outcomes that meet the needs of the woman
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5, LO6
Relating to
Is responsible for consultation and referral and/or escalation in situations that are outside the individual’s scope of practice, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5, LO6
Relating to
Provides and accepts effective and timely direction, allocation, delegation, teaching and supervision
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5, LO6
Relating to
Evaluates outcomes to improve midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO6
Relating to
Evaluates and monitors progress towards planned goals and anticipated outcomes
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO6
Relating to
Revises plan and actions based on evidence and what is learned from evaluation
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO6
Relating to
Uses evaluation and reflection to inform future practice and professional development
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO6