May is an important month in our calendars as it marks International Midwives Day! The theme this year is Follow the Data: Invest In Midwives, which according to the International Confederation of Midwives focuses on advocating for improving sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health in the process around the world. However, in order to strive for these powerful changes we need expert knowledge and proficiency in the field of midwifery. This post explores how we can build this knowledge through various CPD opportunities available specifically to Victorian Midwives to benefit not only yourself, but also your patients well into the future.
1. Complete the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) (Victoria Branch) online modules
The ANMF are making CPD hours not only easy to obtain, but also well worth your time. They have developed a range of exciting online modules, workshops and seminars that can contribute to your CPD and are available online via Zoom. Topics include;
If you are a paid ANMF member of the Victorian Branch you receive an annual credit limit (renewed 1 July annually) for access to the online CPD portal. To access the ANFM Victorian CPD Portal, click here. There are also modules available via the federal ANMF site which can be found here, all of which contribute to your CPD.
2. Explore The Victorian Association of Maternal and Child Health Nurses (VAMCHN)
The VAMCHN is a professional body of the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (ANMF Vic Branch) that was established in the 1940s, to support Maternal & Child Health (MCH) in Victoria.
They have an informative and professionally run biennial conference held at the MCG in Melbourne which is free for members. The conference is happening in November 2021. See this linkfor more information.
3. Discover The Australian College of Midwives
The Australian College of Midwives (ACM) is a national not-for-profit membership organisation and the peak professional body for midwives in Australia. They offer midwives both aspiring and established to undertake conferences, workshops and training days to improve their practice. Some upcoming courses are;
4. Take a course or attend an event hosted by ECT4Health
On International Nurses Day, May 12th 2014, Rob resigned his full-time position at Qld Health, and commenced full time as director and principal educator of ECT4Health. He did this due to the overwhelming demand from his students and clients that they needed more. Since this time ETC4Health have delivered over 260 seminars and workshops, whilst organising over 7 CPD cruising holidays with groups of Nurses and Paramedics.
Though the CPD opportunities listed on the website are not specific to midwives, the knowledge gained throughout can only improve your practice as a health professional. See this link for a full list of courses available within Victoria and Australia wide.
5. Explore the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) - Fetal Surveillance Education Program (FSEP)
RANZCOG FSEP strives to deliver excellence in fetal surveillance education based on an appreciation of the physiology of fetal heart rate control. They offer a wide range of educational resources including full day CPD opportunities, CPD refresher courses, and an online version of FSEP. Click here to explore more.
6. Take a course from the Australian Healthcare Academy
The Australian Healthcare Academy’s mission is to “develop and deliver a wide variety of practical, relevant, and evidence-based courses in healthcare education that suit all levels of learners”.
Though their programs are not specific to midwives, their courses in life support, ECG assessment, manual handling, cannulation and venepuncture are sure to improve your practice. For a full list of their courses, click here.
Other CPD Opportunities:
In summary, your ability to grow and develop as a midwife in Victoria is incredibly achievable. With AHPRA registrations due, it’s a timely reminder to ensure you have obtained enough CPD hours required for registration.
Happy Learning.
Emma Smith
Registered Nurse
