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Hi Barb
I too feel passionate about
supporting the midwives of the future with some sort of consolidation of
practice and have therefore developed such a program at the Mater Mothers in
Brisbane. The program is called Advanced MIdwifery Praxis (AMP) and is offered
to new graduating midwives as well as existing midwives. The program is for 12
months, involves clinical rotations to 5 areas (antenatal clinic, maternity
unit, delivery suite, special care nursery and private antenatal/postnatal
wards) with mentoring in each of the areas. The program is credit worthy towards
a Master of Midwifery - 10 credit points (1 subject) and therefore has
theorectical input (advocacy & negoitation in midwifery, praxis, action
learning, reflective practice, and clinical input). There are 3 assessments
associated with the program - reflective journal, advanced midwifery
competencies, action learning project. As yet we have not yet formally evaluated
the program, as the first program started Sept 2001, but verbal feedback is very
positive and new midwives appreciate this consolidation of practice . At present
we take 5 midwives into the program every 6 months.
Amanda Carter
Clinical Lecturer - Midwifery
To all,
I hope this email doesn't result in more hate mail and
virus poisoned posts which seems to occur when one posts differing views on
this list but in view of Judy's posting of my initial reply I felt it was
also necessary to post my response to balance the debate and I have also
asked some other questions
To the aspiring midwives who inquire about pay rates may I
humbly suggest contacting the various registration boards and the associated
state, dare I say it, Nursing unions around Australia to see exactly where
'they' view direct entry midwives in relation to pay scales, employment
opportunities and accountability. Sorry but that's the system in place at
present.
I have heard whispers from some noted quarters 'not on par
with registered nurse/midwife but along with enrolled nurse level'
which is rather unkind.
As various nursing/midwives conference motion agenda items
are being prepared may I also suggest midwives specifically direct any
midwifery related agenda items to be discussed at the next conference
start submitting to the local branch of QNU and associated unions. Get
involved!
One I have already submitted through our local QNU branch
is along the lines that graduate midwives be supported in the post graduate
year similar to what Queensland Health presently offers graduate nurses.
Presently here in the SE Qld we have produced excellent graduate midwives
but alas they are having trouble gaining employment in metropolitan
hospitals which provides supported practice and instead are re-entering
nursing or working in rural areas without support with mid clients few and
far between.
Cheers Barb
To: "Judy Chapman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject:
Re: 12 hour shifts
Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2002 16:19:22
+1000
Judy,
No problems there Judy because its the "on
call" status after their 8 hour
shift which is allowable in the
award. However, these midwives will have to
be careful fatigue doesn't
come into their practice because there is no
protection for them from
the QNC.
When you described 12 hour shifts (without the on call factor)
on
ozmidwifery I knew it was not possible in QLD. Could you please
correct this
fact on the list before other unionised participants on the
list expire?
How many times does the on call midwife get 'called' in?
Do the midwives
prefer this system? The reason why I am asking is I am
the only practicing
midwife on the Industrial Policy committee of the
QNU which has looked at
several applications for 12 hour shifts in many
areas but each QNU
conference the submissions get voted down by members.
We are currently
reviewing a submission made last conference where after
working 12 hours or
more nurse/midwives will be required to have a full
24 hours off to prevent
fatigue. What is your opinion of
this?
Recently, I saw an application to the SBU that QH wanted to close
the McKay
birthing teams project as quote 'it wasn't meeting clients
needs'. Do you know
anything about that?
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