| Kanácí Otinawáwasowin (Aboriginal Midwifery) Baccalaureate Program | ||
Designed by midwives for midwives, the Kanácí Otinawáwasowin (Aboriginal Midwifery) Baccalaureate (KOB) Program provides students with a high level of clinical experience, along with rigorous theoretical education. The program is taught in a supportive and caring learning environment, committed to producing highly skilled professionals who plan to live and work in northern Manitoba communities. The KOB Program is a 4-year degree program combining theory, laboratory, camps, and clinical experience in a mentor-style learning environment. The curriculum addresses midwifery from an Aboriginal perspective while ensuring that all core midwifery competencies, as dictated by the College of Midwives of Manitoba, are incorporated. | ||
| Career Opportunities | ||
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Admission Requirements | ||
All applicants require a letter of reference, from a community, indicating suitability of the applicant for the midwifery profession in addition to meeting the academic admission requirements.
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A minimum of 60% is required in each of the three 40S courses.
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Program Content | ||
UCN reserves the right to move courses based on availability of instructors. | ||
Year 1 | Credit Hours | |
| UC.ANS.1100 | Introduction to Cree Language 1 | 3.0 |
This course is for students with no prior knowledge of spoken Cree. Students will be introduced to one of the northern dialects of Cree. The course will develop pronunciation and listening skills, conversational ability, basic literacy skills and an understanding of basic grammatical structures. | ||
| UC.IDS.2100 | Theory and Practice of Interpersonal Communication | 3.0 |
Theory and Practice of Interpersonal Communication is designed to introduce students to a core of theory and practical strategies to develop skills in effective communication within a helping relationship. Students are introduced to theory from a variety of disciplines and theoretical perspectives that concentrate on the cycle of establishing relationships within one-on-one, group, voluntary and involuntary situations. Emphasis is on understanding the role of relational power and need within the communication dynamic. Rather than focusing on communication as a linear dyad, the curriculum would concentrate on communication as active and explicit, as well as internal and implicit. | ||
| UC.MWF.1001 | Professional Portfolio Development | 1.0 |
In this course, students will be introduced to Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). Students will have the opportunity to reflect on their past experiences, and will develop a professional portfolio. The portfolio will identify and document knowledge, skills, and judgments, and will translate these into learning outcomes that reflect what the student has already learned from life experiences. The portfolio will provide proof of learning that can be used as the student advances through his or her education and career. | ||
| UC.MWF.1010 | Aboriginal Midwifery in the Canadian & International Context | 3.0 |
In this course, the student will develop a clear understanding of both the model of midwifery in Manitoba and the differences in other jurisdictions. Through small group discussions and arranged experiences, students will be oriented to the midwife’s role, the philosophy of practice in Manitoba, the fundamentals of midwifery knowledge and care, and the future direction of midwifery in Canada. The development and the roles of major professional midwifery organizations will be addressed, as will the larger historical context of midwifery in Manitoba. Particular attention will be focused on Aboriginal midwifery in Northern Manitoba and the future for the practice of Aboriginal midwifery. | ||
| UC.MWF.1020 | Terminology for Midwives | 3.0 |
This course focuses on developing professional language terminology proficiency as needed by midwives in Manitoba communities. Students will be oriented to health services terminology, concepts, and communication skills relevant to women’s health care and midwifery theory and practice. The medical vocabulary is contextualized so that learning-appropriate midwifery concepts are embedded in each unit. There is also physical and cultural referencing of material to Northern Manitoba health settings and Aboriginal communities. | ||
| UC.MWF.1050 | Cultural Camp 1 | 3.0 |
Midwifery students will be provided with an opportunity to be involved and immersed in a land–based cultural experience. This course will be carried out in a natural northern camp setting where all the natural elements of the land, including water, plants, medicines, rocks, and earth, are accessible. Female Aboriginal Elders will assume a pivotal role in the leadership of the cultural camp. During the camp, students will experience women and midwifery teachings and stories, discussions, sharing circles, and many experiential hands-on experiences. The course will also provide students with an opportunity to begin hearing and using midwifery terminology in both English and an Aboriginal Language, such as Cree. | ||
| UC.MWF.2000 | Midwifery Care & Practice 1A | 6.0 |
Midwifery Care and Practice I is the first in a sequence of four two-term courses which combine relevant midwifery theory and clinical practice. By completion of this course, the student will have begun to progressively apply their foundational clinical skills and theoretical content to the provision of normal prenatal and postnatal care. Foundational skills are acquired through structured learning experiences (simulation labs and clinic), which prepare students for midwifery practice situations. The clinical practice portion of the course focuses on the introduction to prenatal and postnatal care. Participation at births, including providing labour support, assistance with the monitoring of maternal and fetal well-being, and observation of deliveries, is required. Students are expected to prepare journals in preparation for discussion of clinical scenarios, which will be used for tutorial discussions with faculty tutors. | ||
| UC.MWF.2010 | Midwifery Care & Practice 1B | 6.0 |
Midwifery Care and Practice 1 is the first in a sequence of four two-term courses which combine relevant midwifery theory and clinical practice. By completion of this course, the student will have begun to progressively apply their foundational clinical skills and theoretical content to the provision of normal prenatal and postnatal care. Foundational skills are acquired through structured learning experiences (simulation labs and clinic), which prepare students for midwifery practice situations. The clinical practice portion of the course focuses on the introduction to prenatal and postnatal care. Participation at births, including providing labour support, assistance with the monitoring of maternal and fetal well-being, and observation of deliveries, is required. Students are expected to prepare journals in preparation for discussion of clinical scenarios, which will be used for tutorial discussions with faculty tutors. | ||
Year 2 | Credit Hours | |
| UC.ANS.1101 | Introduction to Cree Language 2 | 3.0 |
The course will emphasize increasing conversational fluency, improving pronunciation and comprehension skills, building vocabulary, and refining literacy and grammatical skills. Structural differences between English and Cree will be noted. This course is for students who have completed Introduction to Cree Language 1. | ||
| UC.MWF.1002 | Professional Portfolio Development 2 | 1.0 |
In this course, students will continue the introduction to Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), as started in Professional Portfolio Development 1. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on their past experiences, and will develop a professional portfolio. The portfolio will identify and document knowledge, skills, and judgments, and will translate these into learning outcomes that reflect what the student has already learned from life experiences. The portfolio will provide proof of learning that can be used as the student advances through his or her education and career. | ||
| UC.MWF.1060 | Breastfeeding | 3.0 |
This course is an introductory nutrition course for women of child bearing years, and also includes an 18-hour course, developed by Douglas College, on breastfeeding. The 18-hour course is based on the International Lactation Consultant Association “Clinical Guidelines for the Establishment of Exclusive Breastfeeding”, the World Health Organization Baby Friendly Initiative, and the Registered Nurses Association of BC Policy Statement “Breastfeeding: Protection, Promotion and Support.” The goals are to enhance knowledge, understanding and skills of breastfeeding and breastfeeding management. | ||
| UC.MWF.2020 | Theory of How Bodies Work: Scientific & Indigenous Knowledges | 3.0 |
This course covers basic concepts of human structure and function, genetics, and embryology from both the western scientific and Aboriginal perspectives. | ||
| UC.MWF.2030 | Nutrition for Pregnancy and Child bearing | 3.0 |
This course will provide an overview of nutrition issues affecting pregnant and childbearing women in northern communities. The content examines micro-nutrients for healthy pregnancy and high-risk pregnancy, and socio-economic and cultural issues such as food availability, obesity, gestational diabetes, and poverty before, during and after pregnancy. Additional topics include menu planning using healthy portion sizes, food availability in northern communities, vegetarianism, lactose intolerance, and environmental variables. | ||
| UC.MWF.3001 | Knowing & Researching: A Culturally Competent Approach for Midwives | 3.0 |
This course will introduce students to worldviews, ways of knowing, and research methods with emphasis on Indigenous, rural/remote, and Northern contexts. The theory, practice, and issues (i.e., legal, ethical, competing paradigms) of received (quantitative) and perceived (qualitative) research methods in health will be introduced. Emphasis will be on the critical appraisal of existing research (journals, electronic media, etc.) as a basis for evidence-based practice for midwives and inter-professional health care teams. The course will emphasize creativity, ingenuity, and thoroughness in all phases of knowledge acquisition and research by the learner. | ||
| UC.MWF.3010 | Midwifery Care & Practice 2A | 6.0 |
This course provides students with an extended period of clinical experience within a community midwifery practice. Students will integrate previously acquired theory and skills under the supervision of a midwife instructor. While the focus remains on normal pregnancy and delivery, variations on normal are recognized and students begin to assess, assist with management in abnormal situations, consult, and refer. Clinical skills in prenatal, labour and birth, postpartum, and newborn care demonstrate increasing complexity. Students attend weekly clinics and do community outreach where they assume responsibility for assisting the instructing midwife, for increased decision-making, and for community involvement. Students begin to act as primary caregivers in the role of first and second midwife at normal births, and are introduced to some pre and post-natal problems. Students should be able to apply research findings to clinical situations in practice and in class. A weekly tutorial, based on case situations and self-study materials, will cover topics in preconception, antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and newborn care. | ||
| UC.MWF.3020 | Midwifery Care & Practice 2B | 6.0 |
This course provides students with an extended period of clinical experience within a community midwifery practice. Students will integrate previously acquired theory and skills under the supervision of a midwife instructor. While the focus remains on normal pregnancy and delivery, variations on normal are recognized and students begin to assess, assist with management in abnormal situations, consult, and refer. Clinical skills in prenatal, labour and birth, postpartum, and newborn care demonstrate increasing complexity. Students attend weekly clinics and do community outreach where they assume responsibility for assisting the instructing midwife, for increased decision-making, and for community involvement. Students begin to act as primary caregivers in the role of first and second midwife at normal births, and are introduced to some pre and post-natal problems. Students should be able to apply research findings to clinical situations in practice and in class. A weekly tutorial, based on case situations and self-study materials, will cover topics in preconception, antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and newborn care. | ||
Year 3 | Credit Hours | |
| UC.ANS.3450 | Aboriginal Medicine and Health | 3.0 |
This course is a comprehensive analysis of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal health and healing. Topics include pre-contact and post-contact disease, illness and treatment, Aboriginal contributions to modern health care and best practices in health and wellness. Emphasis will be given to traditional medicines and healing concepts. Sponsoring University Prerequisite: UC.ANS.1000, UC.ANS.1001 Transfer Equivalent: Brandon University - BU 68.454 (3) Studies Department University of Manitoba - UM NATV 3240 (3), Aboriginal Medicine & Health University of Winnipeg - NO credit | ||
| UC.ANS.3900 | Selected Topics in Aboriginal & Northern Studies | 3.0 |
Prerequisite: Permission of the dean. The content of this course will vary. Please contact the Faculty of Arts for specific information. | ||
| UC.MWF.1003 | Professional Portfolio Development 3 | 1.0 |
In this course, students will continue the introduction to Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), as started in Professional Portfolio Development 1 and 2. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on their past experiences, and will develop a professional portfolio. The portfolio will identify and document knowledge, skills, and judgments, and will translate these into learning outcomes that reflect what the student has already learned from life experiences. The portfolio will provide proof of learning that can be used as the student advances through his or her education and career. | ||
| UC.MWF.2040 | Theory of Chemistry & Microbiology | 2.0 |
This course provides an overview of basic concepts relating to chemistry, biochemistry, nutrition, and microbiology. Content areas will include practical applications of clinical chemistry, specimen collection, medical microbiology and the interpretation of laboratory results. | ||
| UC.MWF.2050 | Theory of Pharmacotherapy & Complementary Medicines | 2.0 |
The framework of this course recognizes the midwife as an autonomous practitioner in the provision of primary midwifery care. In this role, midwives are legally able to prescribe and administer medications to women and neonates during the normal childbirth experience. This course enables midwifery students to gain comprehensive knowledge of the issues surrounding prescribing, use, and administration of medication and complementary therapeutic treatments within normal childbirth. This course introduces concepts of pharmacotherapeutics. It provides an overview of basic concepts in pharmacology, pharmacy, and therapeutics relevant to the practice of midwifery in Manitoba. Unifying concepts include pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and adverse reactions in pregnancy, lactation, and the neonate. | ||
| UC.MWF.3030 | Midwifery Care & Practice 3 | 18.0 |
This two-term course provides students with an extended period of clinical experience, within a supervised community midwifery practice, in which to integrate previously acquired theory and skills. Students are expected to take on the role of primary caregiver, as both first and second midwife, and to develop skills in clinical judgment, decision-making, and the recognition of indications for consultation and transfer of care. Students attend weekly clinic and do community outreach where they further develop their knowledge and skills relating to topics in preconception, antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and newborn care. Students should be able to apply research findings to clinical situations in practice and in class. Clinical situations used for tutorial discussions will move from simple to more complex, including deviations from normal, with further integration of the biological, behavioural, and social concepts. | ||
Year 4 | Credit Hours | |
| UC.MWF.1004 | Professional Portfolio Development 4 | 1.0 |
In this course, students will continue the Introduction to Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), as started in Professional Portfolio Development 1, 2 and 3. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on their past experiences, and will develop a professional portfolio. The portfolio will identify and document knowledge, skills and judgments, and will translate these into learning outcomes that reflect what the student has already learned from life experiences. The portfolio will provide proof of learning that can be used as the student advances through his or her education and career. | ||
| UC.MWF.4010 | Aboriginal Midwifery | 3.0 |
This advanced fourth-year seminar in Aboriginal Midwifery will examine and critically analyze historical and contemporary topics directly related to the role of Aboriginal midwives locally, provincially, nationally, and globally. A central focus of this seminar is the dynamics of present day efforts to retrieve traditional knowledge and understandings of the highly specialized role of Aboriginal midwives in northern Manitoba. This seminar focuses on reading articles and texts considered integral to contemporary Aboriginal midwifery and northern realities. This seminar will provide the opportunity for students to explore, discuss, and critically analyze specific topics in greater depth. This advanced seminar will meet regularly, either once a week or every second week. | ||
| UC.MWF.4020 | Midwifery Cultural Camp | 3.0 |
This fourth year Cultural Camp will be an experientially-based course focused on a woman’s sacred connection to the land. Students will participate in medicine walks where they will listen, observe, and discuss land medicines used in the practice of sacred midwifery. Students will also listen to Grandmother teachings by invited Elders, and discuss the fundamentals of Aboriginal midwifery knowledge and care. The Cultural Camp will provide the opportunity for students to reflect on and articulate how they have integrated what they have learned into their own practice, approaches and philosophies. The Cultural Camp will also serve as a rite of passage into the sacred practice of Midwifery. As an experientially-based course reliant on oral knowledge, students will be expected to keep a journal of their learning and participate in talking circles and medicine walks. At the end of the Culture Camp, students will present their learning to their fellow students or/and local health workers and community members. | ||
| UC.MWF.4030 | Midwifery Preceptorships | 9.0 |
In the fourth year of the program, students complete three preceptorships. This course consists of three, four-week placements - one in a hospital labour and delivery setting, one in an obstetric practice, and one in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit setting or a pediatric practice. Students are expected to spend a minimum of 30 hours per week in placement. The student can accompany the preceptor to clinic visits, hospital rounds, ER visits, and be available 'on call' when appropriate. In addition to perinatal care, students may expect to observe or participate in: well-women assessments, assessment and treatment of minor gynecological problems, conception control advice and services, well infant/child assessments, immunization, and treatment of minor illnesses. In this course, the student will foster collegial relationships, observe different aspects of primary and referral obstetric and pediatric care, and participate as a care provider in a variety of maternity care settings. The midwife student will gain experience in a hospital where the emphasis will be on the midwifery care of women and newborns at risk during and following the childbirth process, and in situations in which unexpected outcomes develop. Weekly tutorials will provide a supportive opportunity for students to critically reflect on practice they have recorded in their journal, and to identify knowledge embedded in practice. | ||
| UC.MWF.4040 | Midwifery Care and Practice 4 | 15.0 |
Midwifery Care and Practice is a two-term course. By completion of the first term, students will have integrated theoretical and clinical content and have acquired a sound knowledge base of the clinical skills required to provide primary midwifery care under supervision throughout the child bearing cycle. Students continue to develop decision-making skills and will learn the signs and symptoms of pathologic conditions of the mother and newborn infant, and the appropriate role of the midwife in detecting and managing these problems. The tutorial situations will focus on indications for transfer of care, the relationship with other health care providers, and emergency skills. In the final term, each student will spend eight weeks in an alternative midwifery practice placement in a setting of their choosing. Students will develop a clear understanding of the model of midwifery in Manitoba and appreciate differences in other jurisdictions. The emphasis of this course is on autonomous practice throughout al phases of childbirth care and in all available settings. The tutorial component uses problem situations from all phases of childbirth, and the problems integrate content related to inter-professional relationships and the organization of the health-care system, the legal, ethical and professional responsibilities of a midwife, and the critical evaluation of practice. Note: NRP Certification also required. | ||
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