Curricula
Degree Programme in Nursing and Health Care, Option of Midwifery
| Credits: | 270 |
| Type: | Bachelor's Degree |
| Degree Programme: | Degree Programme in Nursing and Healh Care, Option of Midwifery |
| Title: | Bachelor of Health Care |
Midwives provide expert care on sexual and reproductive health; during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum period. Midwifes are specialized to work with women, healthy newborns and families including also care of gynecological patients. Midwifery work is family-centered, with the aim of supporting the well-being and resources of women, men, newborns and families. The midwife promotes family health and social well-being and understands the importance of women's health for the health of the whole family.
Midwives can anticipate and identify potential risks to the sexual and reproductive health of individuals and families and understand the importance of prevention and early intervention in midwifery work. A midwife has strong basic clinical knowledge and skills. The midwife recognizes situations that require enhanced monitoring or are otherwise high-risk situations and is able to work as part of a interprofessional team when the situation requires it. The work also includes sexual counselling, family planning counselling, parent education, guidance and support of parents (parenting, preparing for childbirth) and care of victims of sexual violence.
Good communication and teamwork skills are important when working with women and families during different situations in life. Midwives can work in preventive health care centers and hospitals. In addition to the public sector, midwives can work in the private sector, in various organisations and as self-employed workers.
Midwifery and nursing studies include plenty of practical training in skills-labs and simulations at school and guided practical training in different parts of Finland. Theoretical learning is mainly done independently, online and in seminars. Studies can also be carried out in projects and student exchanges abroad. Midwifery studies are mainly in the final stage of studies and the skills build on strong nursing skills.
Practical training and competence in midwifery studies is regulated through EU Directives. Midwifery education at Oamk is structured as a set of competences in line with both EU directives and international midwifery competences. In addition to the EU-directives, sufficient competency and required midwifery skills are tested by written and practical exams..The successful completion is a prerequisite for progression in studies. Midwifery studies require students to be responsible and proactive in their planning as well as it is important to be able to make independent decisions, as working as a midwife requires.