Bachelor of Midwifery

The revised Bachelor of Midwifery program adapts the PNG National Framework for Midwifery Education offering its 18 months degree program. The National midwifery curriculum is tailored to meet PAU’s institutional requirements. The BMid programme specialises in training students to become competent midwives, focusing primarily on woman’s health, pregnancy and the childbirth process within the context of holistic woman-centred care and contemporary midwifery practice. The knowledge, skills and attitudes obtained by students will enable them to provide professional midwifery care at all levels of health in hospital, urban clinic and rural health settings, not only in Papua New Guinea but also throughout the Pacific region. The BMid has a mandatory number of clinical experiences and competencies as per the PNG Nursing Council requirements and BMid graduates are eligible for registration with the Nursing Council of PNG.

The BMid is course 18 months in duration. Students are allocated 60% of clinical which equates to 1330 clinical hours. The key components of the Bachelor of Midwifery programme include:

• 10 theory subjects: 40%
• 4 clinical practicums: 60%

Breakdown of clinical hours

The 60% of student contact hours is distributed into four clinical practicums as shown in the table below. Clinical practicums are done on blocks all throughout the duration of the 18 months.

Learning in the clinical areas occurs across the range of clinical sites. The table below outlines the allocation of 38 weeks clinical time into these different clinical areas.

Each subject has been developed to ensure the graduate will able to meet the Nursing Council of PNG Midwifery Competency Standards. The graduate midwife will not only be able to practice autonomously in the provision of care through normal pregnancy and birth but to also work with women to optimise their health and environment to maximise their ability to birth safely without complication. In addition, the subjects include the effective prediction, detection and management of emergencies and appropriate safe and timely referral. Additional skills and knowledge around public health initiatives, health planning and policy implementation is provided. A table of the subjects is provided below. Social, religious and cultural influences of women’s role in family life and wider society are also taught so that midwives can work as active agents to improve opportunities for women to birth safely with the best possible outcomes. Key concepts in public health are introduced as well as the midwives’ role in understanding and implementing policy, monitoring and evaluating health services and working in partnership with women, men and the wider community to achieve optimal health outcomes.

Successful applicants must have the following:

1.    Current registered nurse with the Nursing Council of PNG or equivalent body in another country;
2.    Grade 12 (Form 6) certificate
3.    Diploma of Nursing (3 years) or Bachelor of Nursing (4 years).
4.    Minimum of 2 years clinical experience in nursing (while 6 months working in maternity care is preferred it is not a requirement for acceptance)
5.    Evidence of ongoing professional development as demonstrated through in-service attendance, conferences, workshops or the like; 
6.    Recommendation and approval of study from the current employer;
7.    Evidence of interest and commitment to midwifery (demonstrated through the submission of a short essay with application); and
8.    Good moral character and a willingness to order their lives in harmony with the aims and philosophy of the institution.