The Community Program

This program consists of ten 2-week academic sessions at the Birthwise facility alternated with longer periods of clinical work with an approved preceptor chosen by the student and located in her home community. This allows students to remain in their home regions while completing the program and to travel to Birthwise for the intensive academic sessions only.

The Community Program differs from our Campus Program in the following ways:

  • Academic sessions are two weeks long (10 full days of class) and convene every 2-4 months to make it easier for students coming from long distances.
  • Students who enroll in this program must identify potential preceptors before enrolling and will begin preceptorship in their 2nd semester.  Assistance in arranging for a preceptor is offered by the Clinical Director during the first semester at Birthwise. Preceptors in both programs receive a stipend for the work they do with Birthwise students.

 Community Program Academic Calendar:

Semester 1 (Aug- Dec 2013)   Total Credits: 12.3

  •  Orientation (One week in Aug 2013)
  • Session 1 (Two weeks in Oct 2013)
  • Session 2 (Two weeks in Dec 2013)

 Courses:

  • Orientation           .8 cr                       
  • History of Midwifery        1.2 cr
  • Overview of the Human Body        4 cr           
  • Physical Assessment        1.6 cr
  • Normal Prenatal          3.0 cr
  • Skills Practice 1         1 cr
  • Informed Choice           .5 cr
  • BLS for Health Care Providers     .2 cr

Semester 2 (Jan-June 2014)  Total Credits: 19.6

  • Session 3 (Two weeks in Feb 2014)
  • Session 4 (Two weeks in April 2014)
  • Session 5 (Two weeks in June 2014)

Courses:

  • Post Partum           1.6 cr
  • Normal Labor and Birth       3.2 cr
  • Prenatal Complications         4 cr
  • Normal Newborn          2 cr
  • Neonatal Resuscitation       .4 cr
  • Breastfeeding Seminar    .8 cr
  • Counseling Skills          .6 cr
  • Women’s Mental Health    1 cr
  • Skills Practice 2        1 cr
  • Preceptorship 1        5 cr

Semester 3 (July –Dec 2014)  Total Credits: 17.8

  • Session 6 (Two weeks in August 2014)
  • Session 7 (Two weeks in November 2014)

Courses:

  • Complications of Labor and Birth        4 cr
  • Therapeutic Nutrition     1.6 cr
  • Whole Foods Nutrition     .8 cr
  • Research Methods      .8 cr
  • Cultural Sensitivity    .4 cr
  • Charting     .4 cr
  • VBAC Seminar     .4 cr
  • Breastfeeding Seminar      .4 cr
  • Skills Practice 3       1 cr
  • Preceptorship 2        8 cr

Semester 4 ( Jan-June 2015)   Total Credits: 17.8

  • Session 8 (Two weeks in Feb 2015)
  • Session 9 (Two weeks in May 2015)

Courses:

  • Well Woman              1.6 cr
  • Newborn Complications      1.6 cr
  • Labwork for Midwives          1.2 cr
  • Public Health Issues for Midwives    .8 cr
  • Business of Midwifery         .6 cr
  • Botanicals        1.2 cr
  • Homeopathy for Midwives         .8 cr
  • Hospital Birth seminar        .4 cr
  • Birth Center seminar          .4 cr
  • Skills Practice 4         1 cr
  • Preceptorship 3        8 cr

Semester 5 (July-Dec 2015)  Total Credits: 16.3

  •  Session 10 (Two weeks in October 2015)

 Courses:

  • Pharmacology for Midwives        1.2 cr
  • Independent Research     3.0 cr
  • Professional Responsibilities          1.6 cr
  • Skills Practice 5          .5
  • Preceptorship 4            10 credits

Semester 6 (Jan-July 2016)   Total Credits: 15

  •  Homecoming 2         1 cr
  • Preceptorship 5            14 cr


Clinical Training

 Clinical experience is achieved in two ways:

  •  Classroom instruction and practice.

Although much of the classroom time is devoted to theoretical learning, most practical skills are introduced and practice for the first time within the context of your coursework. These skills are then practiced during the Skills Practice courses to gain beginning proficiency for your clinical experiences.

  • Preceptorship.

This is where the bulk of the student’s midwifery skill development happens. An acceptable midwifery practice is found with guidance and assistance from the Clinical Manager. Community Program students begin their preceptorships in the second semester at Birthwise. The preceptorships are finished when the graduation requirements for clinical experiences are complete.

 Periodic student evaluations are performed by the preceptor and the student, all

experience is documented using an internet-based system, and phone and email contact is maintained by our Clinical Director for the duration of the experience. Students will need internet access, a driver’s license, dependable transportation, a cell phone and/or pager, and 24 hour on-call capabilities. An iPod or smartphone is recommended for documentation (but not required).

Although Birthwise will assist students in locating a clinical site, we do not guarantee placement or completion of the Preceptorship.

 Homecoming Workshops

Homecoming Workshop is held in June of the student’s 6th semester. This required two-day workshop is an opportunity for precepting students to return to Birthwise to update us in person about their progress, to practice skills, to learn new updated information and to learn from each other’s experiences. The Senior written exam and skills exam is administered at this time.