BSc in Midwifery
Course Co-ordinatation and Administration
- Course Co-ordinator:
Kathryn Muldoon , Tel +353 1 8962073 - Course Executive Officer:
Lisa Battersby , Tel +353 1 8963072
Introduction
The Tanaiste and Minister of Health and Children announced the introduction of a undergraduate midwifery degree programme to begin in 2006. The School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin are delighted with this development and since September 2006 offer a 4-year honors degree programme, BSc in Midwifery, with our linked maternity care hospitals, Coombe Womens Hospital and The Rotunda Hospital. The School, with the Rotunda Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda, successfully developed and delivered the national pilot programme of direct entry to midwifery. This experience has proven to be invaluable in the development and delivery of the new 4-year degree midwifery programme.
The Midwife and Midwifery Practice
Giving birth is a unique and special time for each woman and her family. It is a time of major change for families, especially for those becoming parents for the first time. Each woman, journeying through pregnancy and birth, draws from her individual life experiences and these influence her unique perceptions of and expectations for birth. Childbirth is a life changing physiological event for the whole family.
The term midwifey means with woman. The concept of partnership between the woman and the midwife is fundamental to midwifery practice and is based on mutual trust, support and collaboration. The midwife uses midwifery skills to provide care that is individual to each woman and recognises the womans ownership of her birth experience. Care for women experiencing a physiological pregnancy and birth is the core of practice of the midwife. The midwife is the key professional providing continuity of care and promoting choice and control to women in pregnancy and birth, and to women and their babies following birth.
The provision of midwifery care is constantly evolving to respond to the changing needs of women in Ireland and their families. Midwives provide care in maternity hospitals/units, the newly developed midwife-led units and increasingly through the provision of midwife-led services in the community. Midwives also work in partnership with obstetricians and other members of the healthcare team in particular when women experience complications in pregnancy and birth.
The Programme
The Bachelor in Science in Midwifery Honours Degree is a four year programme. The programme is delivered in partnership with two linked maternity care providers, Coombe Womens Hospital and The Rotunda Hospital. Successful completion of the programme leads to:
- registration in the Midwives Division of the Nurses Register maintained by An Bord Altranais
and - the award of Bachelor in Science in Midwifery Degree from The University of Dublin, Trinity College.
Programme content and assessment
The programme provides midwives with the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of women and their families in an individualised, culturally sensitive manner. The first three years combine learning in both university and midwifery practice in the maternity hospitals and takes place during the academic year with usual academic holidays. Midwifery students also undertake other practice placements, for example, mental health, medical, surgical etc. The final year includes a 36 week period of internship in midwifery practice for which the students will be salaried.
The programme content covers such areas as:
- Midwifery practice, knowledge and skills.
- Communication and interpersonal skills.
- Professional, personal, ethical and legal issues.
- Knowledge base for midwifery practice to include: Biological sciences, psychology, pharmacology, non-pharmaceutical approaches.
- Sociology for midwifery practice.
- Research.
- Health promotion.
- Maternal and social care services in Ireland.
A variety of assessment methods is used and aims to contribute to the students learning and self, peer and teacher assessment. Assessment of learning in midwifery practice is an important component of the programme and takes place throughout the programme. Other forms of assessment include written examinations and assignments, presentations, debates, teaching sessions etc.
See modular course structure for a description of each module of this course.
Linked Hospitals and number of places 2008/2009
The School of Nursing and Midwifery, in partnership with The Rotunda Hospital and The Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, offers a Bachelor in Science (Midwifery), (B.Sc. (A.Obs)). Students who successfully complete the B.Sc. (A.Obs) are eligible to apply to An Bord Altranais to have their name added to the Midwives division of the Nurses Register.
- Coombe Womens Hospital : 20 places.
- The Rotunda Hospital : 20 places.
Admission to the Programme
ALL applicants must apply through Central Applications Office (CAO) even mature applicants who may not have all the minimal requirements.
Why Study Midwifery in Trinity College?
We have a track record in delivering undergraduate midwifery education in Ireland. We very successfully developed and delivered the Pilot Programme of Direct Entry to Midwifery.
Graduates from this programme have all practised as midwives since qualifying, practicing in maternity care services in Dublin, Drogheda, other parts of Ireland and as far afield as Australia.
A degree from the University of Dublin, Trinity College, is recognized across the world as a quality qualification opening many doors for graduates.
The School of Nursing and Midwifery has earned a reputation as a leader and innovator in midwifery education and research in maternity care. As well as undertaking the 1st and only Direct Entry Midwifery Programme (Pilot), the School is currently involved in the development and evaluation of Pilot Midwifery-led Services in the HSE-North Eastern Region. The two Midwifery-led Units in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda and Cavan General Hospital have proved enormously popular with women in the North Eastern region of Ireland.
Further Information
Further information is available from:
The Nursing Career Centre, An Bord Altranais, 31/32 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2.
Central Applications Office (CAO), Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway. Tel: +353 91 509800; e-mail: help@cao.ie
The Admissions Office Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2.
Phone 1 + 353 (0)1 896 3664
Phone 2 + 353 (0)1 896 1532
Fax: + 353 (0)1 872 2853
Email admissns@tcd.ie
See also Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
School of Nursing & Midwifery, University of Dublin, Trinity College 2005.