Nursing - Midwifery

The programme is delivered in partnership with Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda and will provide students with the knowledge and skills required to carry out their duties as a midwife in accordance with the definition of a midwife adapted from the International Confederation of Midwives’ (ICM 2011) definition and adopted by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).



The following learning and teaching strategies underpin this programme:



Enquiry Based Learning (EBL)

Tutorials

Lectures

Group Work / Seminars

Clinical / Practical Skills

Clinical Placements



Throughout this programme time is balanced between college and clinical placements.



Who should apply?



Registered General Nurses with NMBI who:



Wish to care for women and families in a holistic manner before, during and after pregnancy.



Have an interest in health and wellbeing, particularly women’s health and wellbeing.



Have an interest in specialised neonatal care and care of healthy newborn infants.

The programme is normally divided into three semesters with a combination of theoretical and clinical modules being provided each semester.



Modules taught on the programme include:



Semester 1



HDip The Profession of Midwifery

HDip Midwifery Practice 1

HDip Midwifery and Women’s Health

HDip Clinical 1



Semester 2



HDip Midwifery Practice 2

HDip The Healthy Neonate

HDip Sensitive Midwifery

HDip Clinical 2



Semester 3



HDip Midwifery Practice 3

HDip The Complex Neonate

HDip Developing the Profession of Midwifery

HDip Clinical 3



*Please note modules are subject to change

The HSE has identified that applicants must:



Be registered in the General Division of the Register of Nurses maintained by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) or entitled to be so registered



Have a minimum of 6 months post registration experience as an RGN within the past 3 years, working a minimum of 78 hours per month

18 months full-time, on campus.

The Higher Diploma in Midwifery programme will provide the appropriate foundation for midwives to practice following registration. This will be the basis of a career trajectory and will help prepare midwives for continuing professional development. Career pathways can be considered in terms of clinical, management, education and research pathways.



Opportunities for academic progression include academic study at level 9 and 10.