Midwifery education in Australia

Published

Hi,

I am a US born and educated student in an accelerated nursing program at NYU. I am interested in moving to Australia to work as a nurse and complete a degree in midwifery. Is there anyone here with a similar track?

I know some countries in the EU do not recognize the accelerated nursing degree; is this the same for Australia?

My plan is to work in the US for a year after graduation, and then move to Australia to work as a nurse while I study midwifery. I have read that the education in Australia has more of a hands-on component as you are working at a hospital most of your studies, and that really appeals to me. I find that my BSN now has a lot of "filler" classes like professional nursing or health assessment & promotion, which could be much better spent doing actual clinical work and learning how to do IV infusions etc. So I am looking for a very hands on midwifery education.

Any thoughts or suggestions? I am also welcome to completing my midwifery studies in the US so feel free to comment on that, but definitely most interested in moving overseas. :)

Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Heya:)

look at APHRA website for what BSN they accept to register u as RN in Auz.

Now, have you looked at visas? For RN to come work here shouldn't be too hard granted you get the licence.

Midwifery here is great, as ob/gyns are used by private patients willing to pay for them and complicated pregnancies, the rest is all midwife lead management and delivery.

They have RN to midwife courses in some unis that just depends which state you'd like to stay in.

I think if you come on working visa they may class you as international student to study and that's a lot of money for the course. Like 3-4 times that of Australian students. They may also require you work full time as visa requirement, you'd have to double check that.

What I've heard do people doing is coming here and working for agency. You can travel all states, getting shifts here and there and once you decide what you like, find a full time position in that city. Maybe sort out your permanent residency if that's what you want and then go to continue studying.

Look up other forums on this site, there are some comparisons for nursing Aus vs USA. Also there are some visa discussions on an as well.

Sorry I can't answer your questions properly :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks so much :) that was very helpful.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

In Australia there are two pathways to becoming a midwifery. You can either study a bachelor of midwifery, or if you already have a bachelor of nursing you can study either a graduate diploma or masters of midwifery as a post-grad.

Most nurses who do post-grad studies in midwifery are employed by the hospital to do so, and will work something like 2 days as an RN, 3 days as a student, so there is a relatively high level of clinical hours, however these positions are typically only available to Australian Citizens.

Some universities do offer post-grad studies without needing to be employed by a hospital (you still do prac, you need to do 800 hours to register), however as above there is a considerable cost involved, and you would need to ask the university directly, but to put it in perspective as an undergraduate I pay (well the government pays for me, i love HECS) $4000, and international student pays $20000. If you come on a student visa you can only work 40hrs per fortnight (or 20 a week) during semester, however you can work full time in semester breaks.

There are still plenty of "filler" classes, whether you do undergrad or post-grad, thinks like "research methods in midwifery" etc.

As a general rule for your degree to be recognised it needs to be a bachelors degree, have at least 800hrs of clinical placement, and meet the same theory as an australian course, if there are gaps then APHRA will let you know what needs to be bridged before you can register

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just a quick question, I would like to do the post grad Diploma in midwifery. I am applying to APHRA and waiting to hear back about my nursing registration. I have 7 years experience in Labour and Delivery as an RN in Canada. My current hospital does Single room maternity, so I can follow someone from admission through to discharge. I know to work in this area in Australia, I really need to be qualified as a Midwife.

My question is how difficult do you think it would be to find an employer to hire me while signed up to take the Diploma? Do hospitals offer student midwife positions? I ask because the post grad Diploma requires you to be working in midwifery for a minimum amount of hours.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

hello

most people apply for positions as a student midwife when doing their post-grad, for example Midwifery up-skilling and refresher programs - Services A – Z - Women and Newborn Health Service

you can also apply direct to notre dame without having a student midwife position.

Midwifery

However you are better to contact them directly to ask about whether you can enrol if you are on a working visa

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We are applying for Permanent residency so should be easier I hope. Thank You for your advice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion