Overview
In this capstone unit, you will consolidate knowledge, skills, and values acquired throughout your course to facilitate your transition to registered midwifery practice. Midwives face challenges in their everyday practice, and this unit will equip you with graduate capabilities, resilience skills and strategies to mitigate personal risk and encourage peer support to effectively deal with these challenges encountered throughout your career. You will also learn the importance of continual professional development, for your own career progression, and for the care you will provide to women and their families.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Co-requisites: MDWF14002 Pharmacology for Midwifery Practice.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE feedback
The majority of feedback provided centred on the group presentation assessment. They felt this approach led to unequal contributions by students and resulted in grades that did not accurately reflect individual effort. One student's feedback was: the unit overall was fantastic but the group work within this unit left me very frustrated. I am unsure of how to resolve this. I was ignored by group members and had multiple meetings cancelled which left me with a very disappointed end product (assessment). I do appreciate the support I received when I expressed my frustration to a staff member.
The group presentation assessment will be revisited by the midwifery team and developed into an individual presentation for future offerings. Efforts will be made to align the assessment with the learning outcomes of the unit whilst addressing the student feedback raised.
Feedback from SUTE feedback
Another comment on the group presentation was that combining a short individual written component with the presentation was time-consuming.
Although the assessment carries a 50% weighting, revisions will focus on streamlining the process and addressing the time burden on students.
- Analyse knowledge and skills relating to resilience, self-care, mitigation of personal risk, and peer support to sustain midwifery practice
- Evaluate strategies for the beginning midwife practitioner to assist with professional socialisation into the midwifery profession
- Articulate the professional values associated with ongoing professional midwifery development.
The proposed changes to learning outcomes and the unit will meet the following:
The draft ANMAC Midwifery Education Standards (2020).
Standard 1: Safety of the practice.
Standard 3: Program of study.
3.5 a. achievement of the NMBA Midwife Standards for practice. g. understanding self-care, mitigating personal risk, and resilience.
Standard 5: Student assessment.
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Midwife Standards for Practice (2018).
Standard 1: Promotes health and wellbeing through evidence-based midwifery practice.
Standard 2: Engages in respectful partnerships.
Standard 3: Demonstrates the capability and accountability for midwifery practice.
Standard 4: Undertakes comprehensive assessments.
Standard 5: Develops a plan for midwifery practice.
Standard 6: Provides safety and quality in midwifery practice.
Standard 7: Evaluates outcomes to improve midwifery practice.
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Code of Conduct for Midwives (2018).
Principle 1. Legal compliance
Principle 2. Women centred care.
Principle 3. Cultural practice and respectful relationships
Principle 4. Professional behaviour
Principle 5: Teaching, supervising, and assessing.
Principle 7: Health and wellbeing.
The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) International Code of Ethics for Midwives (2014).
1. Midwifery Relationships.
2. Practice of Midwifery.
3. The Professional Responsibilities of Midwives.
4. Advancement of Midwifery Knowledge and Practice.
National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (2017).
Clinical Governance Standard.
Partnering with Consumers Standard.
Preventing and Controlling Healthcare-Associated Infection Standard.
Medication Safety Standard.
Comprehensive Care Standard.
Communicating for Safety Standard.
Blood management Standard.
Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Standard.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 50% | |||
| 2 - Presentation - 50% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||
| 5 - Team Work | |||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Textbooks
Midwifery: Preparation for Practice
- Edition: 5th (2023)
- Authors: Pairman, S., Tracy, S. K., Dahlen, H. G., & Dixon, L.
- Elsevier
- Sydney Sydney , NSW , Australia
- ISBN: 9780729544764
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Computer
- Zoom access: microphone and webcam required
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
r.chee@cqu.edu.au
k.a.haynes@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 09 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Introduction to graduate midwifery practice
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the Week 1 study guide.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Welcome and Unit Introduction
Weekly lecture
Assessments:
Review the assessment tasks and make a study plan.
Foundations of Academic Integrity Program:
Complete your annual program.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Zoom:
Optional attendance at the weekly Zoom drop-in meeting.
Week 2
Begin Date: 16 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Autonomous practice in midwifery
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the Week 2 study guide.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Weekly lecture
Zoom:
Join the weekly drop-in meeting for guidance on the assessments, hosted by the unit coordinator.
Announcement and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 3
Begin Date: 23 Mar 2026Module/Topic
The graduate midwife as primary carer
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the Week 3 study guide.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Weekly lecture
Zoom:
Join the weekly drop-in meeting for guidance on the assessments, hosted by the unit coordinator.
Census Date is next week. If you are struggling, please contact your unit coordinator for help.
Announcement and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 4
Begin Date: 30 Mar 2026Module/Topic
The midwife as a professional and advocate
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the Week 4 study guide.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Weekly lecture
Census Date:
Tuesday Week 4
Announcement and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 5
Begin Date: 06 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Resilience and self-care
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the Week 5 study guide.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Weekly lecture
Zoom:
Optional attendance at the weekly Zoom drop-in meeting.
Announcement and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 6
Begin Date: 13 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Birth associated trauma
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the Week 6 study guide.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Weekly lecture
Zoom:
Optional attendance at the weekly Zoom drop-in meeting.
Announcement and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Written Assessment Due: Week 6 Wednesday (15 Apr 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 20 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Vacation week.
Chapter
Please use this mid-term break as an opportunity to rest and recover. Enjoy your break.
Events and Submissions/Topic
No timetabled learning activities. Please use this week to progress your assessments.
Week 7
Begin Date: 27 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Managing adverse circumstances and beneficence
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the Week 7 study guide.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Weekly lecture
Zoom:
Optional attendance at the weekly Zoom drop-in meeting.
Announcement and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 8
Begin Date: 04 May 2026Module/Topic
Organisational factors and speaking out
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the Week 8 study guide.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Weekly lecture
Zoom:
Optional attendance at the weekly Zoom drop-in meeting.
Announcement and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 9
Begin Date: 11 May 2026Module/Topic
It's never too early to plan your career
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the Week 9 study guide.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Weekly lecture
Zoom:
Optional attendance at the weekly Zoom drop-in meeting.
Announcement and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Presentation Due: Week 9 Wednesday (13 May 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 10
Begin Date: 18 May 2026Module/Topic
Evidence based practice and organisational change
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the Week 10 study guide.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Weekly lecture
Zoom:
Optional attendance at the weekly Zoom drop-in meeting.
Announcement and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 11
Begin Date: 25 May 2026Module/Topic
Midwives of the future, part 1
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the Week 11 study guide.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Weekly lecture
Zoom:
Optional attendance at the weekly Zoom drop-in meeting.
Announcement and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation Survey:
We encourage you to provide feedback about your unit and teaching experiences in this unit. The survey opens Week 11 and closes one week before release of grades.
Week 12
Begin Date: 01 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Midwives of the future, part 2
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the Week 12 study guide.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Weekly lecture
Zoom:
Optional attendance at the weekly Zoom drop-in meeting.
Announcement and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey:
Please complete the unit evaluation survey.
Exam Week
Begin Date: 08 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 15 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
This unit incorporates weekly self-directed online learning designed to support and consolidate student knowledge. Each week, students engage with a structured learning package that includes a lecture, a comprehensive study guide, and associated readings and learning activities. This approach encourages independent learning, critical thinking, and preparation for both clinical placement and simulation-based skill development.
1 Written Assessment
You will complete a written assessment to demonstrate the ability to critically analyse graduate midwifery practice focusing on professional development, advocacy, ethical decision-making, resilience, self-care, and peer support. You will explore the balance between clinically safe and woman-centred care, using the case study and relevant literature.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time. This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
Level of GenAI Use Allowed: Level 2 (AI planning).
a. Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
b. Checking spelling and grammar
c. CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
Extensions:
Extensions to this assessment are not available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria:
- You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
- In order for a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 6 Wednesday (15 Apr 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit your assessment via the submission point on the unit Moodle site.
Week 8 Wednesday (6 May 2026)
Please allow three weeks from the due date for the return of this assessment.
Assessment criteria will be available on the Moodle site.
- Analyse knowledge and skills relating to resilience, self-care, mitigation of personal risk, and peer support to sustain midwifery practice
- Evaluate strategies for the beginning midwife practitioner to assist with professional socialisation into the midwifery profession
- Articulate the professional values associated with ongoing professional midwifery development.
2 Presentation
You will compose and record a presentation to demonstrate your understanding of transitioning to registered midwifery practice. You will explore a midwifery role you aspire to and analyse the knowledge, skills, professional values, and support strategies required to sustain safe, effective, and resilient midwifery practice. This assessment focuses on career planning, professional socialisation, resilience, self-care, mitigation of personal risk, and peer support as foundational elements of your transition to practice.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time. This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
Level of GenAI Use Allowed: Level 2, (AI planning)
a. Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
b. Checking spelling and grammar
c. CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
Extensions:
Extensions to this assessment are available as per policy. The 72-hour grace may apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria:
- You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
- In order for a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 9 Wednesday (13 May 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit via the submission point on the unit Moodle page.
Week 12 Wednesday (3 June 2026)
Please allow three weeks from the due date for the return of this assessment.
Assessment criteria will be available on the Moodle site.
- Analyse knowledge and skills relating to resilience, self-care, mitigation of personal risk, and peer support to sustain midwifery practice
- Evaluate strategies for the beginning midwife practitioner to assist with professional socialisation into the midwifery profession
- Articulate the professional values associated with ongoing professional midwifery development.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
