The courses that UniSA midwifery students undertake as they attend their clinical placements are called 'Experiential Learning Activities' or ELAs. There are five ELAs over the duration of the program. These ELA courses help to prepare the students for placements by helping them to understand the types of experiences that they will be exposed to and how this relates to their current understanding of theoretical learning. Each ELA also incorporates a clinical assessment which must be passed before the students proceed to placement.
Each placement is undertaken over a 2 week block and students attend shifts on a 24/7 roster, including night shifts, weekends and public holidays. Some placements in the community may be undertaken in an 'on call' basis. Students are placed in a variety of settings:
Antenatal Clinics
Postnatal Wards
Antenatal / Gynaecology Wards
Birthing Units
Neonatal Units
Midwifery Group Practice (caseload, working in both hospitals and the community)
Maternity units of private hospitals and regional hospitals (working across a range of midwifery areas depending on available workload)
This table highlights the link between the theory courses and each ELA