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Higher Diploma in Midwifery

Key Facts

Course Code: DPGNM-MIDW-1F09

Duration: 18 months full-time

Closing Date: December 2023

Next Intake: March 2024

Location: 24 D'Olier Street

Fees: Further information on course fees can be found at Academic Registry.

 

Overview

This course is taught by the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin in partnership with The Rotunda Hospital, Dublin and The Coombe Hospital, Dublin. The course aims to develop midwives with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to become competent, analytical and reflective practitioners, thus enabling them to provide care in a manner that benefits women, their babies and families.

The current programme is delivered over an 18 month period by the School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Dublin Trinity College and its two linked maternity hospitals - the Coombe Hospital, Dublin and The Rotunda Hospital, Dublin. Midwifery students who successfully complete the programme will be awarded a Higher Diploma in Midwifery from The University of Dublin Trinity College Dublin with eligibility to register on the Midwives Division of the Register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.

Structure & Delivery

This programme aims to:

  • Prepare midwifery students to practise safely, competently and effectively;
  • Educate diplomates to uphold recognised standards of midwifery practice;
  • Foster tolerance and respect for individualism and diversity;
  • Educate diplomates who are flexible and adaptable in their approach to working with women and their families during the childbirth experience;
  • Engender in diplomates a desire for the discovery of new knowledge;
  • Engender a philosophy of life long learning.

Following successful completion of the totality of the programme, the midwifery student will be able to:

  • Provide competent, safe midwifery care autonomously for women and their families;
  • Recognise the individuality of each woman and foster the development of shared decision making throughout the childbirth experience;
  • Promote and support lifestyle choices that enhance the health and well-being of women, their families and the wider community;
  • Demonstrate informed decision making skills and the ability to make informed differential diagnoses;
  • Recognise the scope of midwifery practice, initiate appropriate referrals to other healthcare providers, and provide emergency care when required;
  • Recognise the need for pursuing scientific and social research in order to enhance midwifery practice;
  • Provide evidence that they meet the EU Directives 2005/36/EC and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland Requirements and Standards for the Midwife Registration Education Programme(2005, Addendum 2007) for entry to the Midwives Division in the Nurses Register in Ireland;
  • Take responsibility for maintaining a level of knowledge and skills that is based on the best available evidence.

Course Content

  • MW7012 Being a Midwife - Personal and Professional Development (10)
  • MW7013 Foundation skills for Midwifery Practice and Sharing the Woman’s Experience (10)
  • MW7014 Health Promotion and Infant Feeding (10)
  • MW7015 Midwifery Clinical Practice 1 (1‐3) (15 ECTS)
  • MW7016 Core Midwifery Practice and Adaption in Pregnancy (10)
  • MW7017 Midwifery Practice: Pathophysiology and Unexpected Outcomes of Pregnancy and Childbirth (10)
  • MW7018 Midwifery Research - Evidence for Midwifery Practice (10)
  • MW7019 Midwifery Clinical Practice 2 (4‐7) (15 ECTS)

Entry Requirement

Students applying for this programme must be on the General Nurse Division of the register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. Thereafter, selection and recruitment is on the basis of performance at interview.

The Rotunda Hospital and the Coombe Hospital advertise separately for midwifery students. Applicants for this programme must have secured a place in one of the two partnership hospitals before applying to TCD. The programme runs back to back, next intake will be March 2021 as this is an 18 month programme.

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria:
a. Must be a registered general nurse on the General Nurse Division of the register maintained by An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland),
b. Currently on the Active Register maintained by An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland),
c. Have a relevant academic qualification, preferably to degree level,
d. Satisfy the selection committee that they have the ability to complete and benefit from the course
e. applicants for this programme must have secured a place in one of the two partnership hospitals (The Rotunda Hospital, Dublin or The Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin) before applying to TCD.

Please contact the hospitals directly:

Documentation required to complete application

You will be required to submit the following documents with your application:

  • NMBI Pin Number
  • Certified copies of your educational awards (Parchments).
  • Certified copies of your educational transcripts.
  • Curriculum  vitae
  • Confirmation of a place with linked Maternity hospital
  • 1 Academic reference
  • 1 Professional reference

Note: You will be requested to submit two referee contact details (one academic and one professional). These referees will be contacted automatically by email and will be asked to submit their reference directly to TCDs electronic system. It is, therefore, very important that all email addresses are entered correctly and that your referee is willing and available to provide a reference.

Language

Please go to NMBI website for detailed English language requirements.