These regulations should be read in conjunction with the General Academic Regulations of National University of Science and Technology (NUST) for undergraduate degrees at NUST.

The Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Midwifery ((MWB- Hon) is offered by the Department of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, Faculty of Medicine at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and leads to a midwifery practitioner.

The program is specifically designed to develop a graduate midwifery practitioner capable of applying the recommended essential competencies for midwifery practice. The graduate midwife should develop critical analytic skills necessary for making informed decisions in the provision of evidence based practice. He/she is capable of providing woman-centred care and respectful care in both hospital and community settings; and promote culturally sensitive care as well as apply reflective thinking.

The aim of the Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Midwifery is to upgrade midwifery diploma holders. The course recognises prior learning experiences as a registered nurse and midwife and provides a framework with which one can enhance his/her professional practice. The degree programme has been developed to build upon and enhance midwifery practice; it also supports career pathways for the midwife in clinical practice, education, research as well as leadership and management.

The graduate should demonstrate the following competencies:

Professional competence and use of evidence in practice through critical and analytical thinking as well as informed decision making

Apply the requisite knowledge and skills from obstetrics, neonatology, the social sciences, public health and ethics in the provision of culturally and relevant, appropriate care for women, newborns, and childbearing families.

Provide high quality, culturally sensitive health education and services to all in the community in order to promote healthy family life, planned pregnancies and positive parenting.

Provide high-quality care including detection and management of complications during pregnancy, labour, childbirth and the puerperium.

Provide comprehensive care for the newborn up to six weeks post delivery

Facilitate abortion-related care.

Ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams and to practice in all the levels of health practice to meet the needs of different populations including the vulnerable groups

Demonstrate leadership ability, client advocacy and health service marketing skills.

The duration shall be 3 years on a four-week block release instruction sessions in each semester adding up to a total of six (6) semesters. The programme recognises prior knowledge and experience in that the prospective candidates are already employed in the midwifery settings and they have obtained a basic qualification in midwifery but would like to enhance their knowledge and skills through acquiring a formal undergraduate degree qualification in midwifery.

To be eligible for admission the candidate must:

Have at least 5 ‘O’ level passes including English, Mathematics and Science subject (Biology and Chemistry or Physics).

An ‘A’ level qualification will be an added advantage.

Have a midwifery qualification (Registered General Nurse with a diploma in midwifery or a Registered Midwife with a diploma certificate).

Be registered with the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe and have a current Practising Certificate.

Have at least 2 years work experience post midwifery qualification.

Assessment and evaluation shall be based on continuous assessment (CA), written formal examinations and a final year research project.

Continuous Assessment (30%)

The student's learning outcomes are assessed after each teaching unit. Continuous assessment (CA) will contribute not less than 30% of the overall mark and shall consist of various exercises such as assignments, case studies, unit tests, clinical practicum and seminars. To be eligible for examinations, a student shall be required to have a minimum continuous assessment score of 45%.

 
Final Examinations (70%)

The final examinations shall comprise one written paper and practical assessments. The minimum final examination pass score shall be at least 50%.  The written examinations will contribute 60% while the practicum will be 10%

Research Project (100%)

The assessment score for the final year research project shall be 100%.

• The General Academic Regulations for undergraduate degrees shall apply.

• Formal examinations will be conducted at the end of each semester for all courses.

• The student should attend a minimum of 80% sessions to be eligible for examinations

• Where a course has a theoretical and a practical component, the student must pass both independently.

• Each course shall be marked out of one hundred percent (100%).       

FAILURE TO SATISFY THE EXAMINERS 

• A candidate who fails to satisfy the Examiners  in terms of these General  Academic and Faculty Regulations may be required by the Senate to:

  • write Supplementary Examinations

  • repeat

  • discontinue

  • withdraw

• All supplemented courses shall be awarded a maximum pass grade of 50%.

AWARD OF DEGREE

To be awarded the degree, the student must pass all the courses constituting the programme including the final year project.

The curriculum is designed to cover:

• Structure which is logically sequenced to ensure an appropriate mix of theory through classroom teaching and learning as well as supervised practice in hospitals and community settings.

• Process that adopts a student- centred approach and juxtaposes theory and practice to facilitate students’ ability to integrate theory and practice.

• Outcome whose product is a graduate midwife who has the ability to apply the essential competencies for midwifery  practice namely:

  • Acquisition of requisite knowledge and skills in obstetrics, neonatology, social sciences, public health and ethics.

  • Provision of high quality and culturally sensitive care for women and newborns.

  • Provision of additional roles as defined by the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe.

• Assuming administration and management tasks and activities including human resources

• Engaging in research to support evidence-based practice.

• Advocating for women’s sexual and reproductive rights and health issues.

STRUCTURE AND DESIGN OF THE PROGRAMME

The degree programme is divided into semesters and organised into a four weeks’ study block in each semester. One study year consists of two semesters. One semester covers a minimum period of 240 hours of theoretical input as well as clinical learning in the skills laboratory and resident teaching hospitals.

Students undertake midwifery professional experience in health service facilities. Clinical placements will occur in each semester, and are in addition to time spent in the midwifery clinical skills laboratories that simulate the clinical environment. Over the duration of the course, students are expected to acquire the requisite competencies and are also required to record the recommended numbers of specified supervised procedures/competencies in the practical log books.