Mother and Child Care
6 Credits (ECTS)
Mother and Child Care*
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Module Description
In this module students will learn about and identify physiological and developmental needs of the mother and child, including antenatal, intrapartum and post-natal care.
Caring for the new-born and knowledge on human growth and development stages are also covered in this module. This module focuses on the Maltese legislations related to the sector.
To ensure that the first level nurse is equipped with the knowledge, skills and competences necessary to practice as a competent and professional nurse in a Mother and Child Care setting, the candidate nurse is required to do clinical Work Placement in this setting
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course must be:
- Be second level nurses in possession of a minimum Level 4 Certificate in Nursing (or comparable as per MQRIC).
OR
- Possess a qualification at MQF Level 4 (one ‘A’ Level or equivalent preferably in science) or if ‘A’ level is not in science subject then a a pass in Biology, Chemistry or Physics at MQF Level 3 (‘O’ Level or equivalent) is required.
Preference will be given to prospective applicants who have a minimum of 1-year work experience in healthcare sector.
Target Audience
- 2nd level nurses who hold an MQF Level 4 certificate in Nursing.
- Candidates who are employed within the healthcare sector and possess an MQF Level 4 Diploma qualification (or equivalent) in healthcare/health science or other relevant and related sectors, examples include but are not limited to: Carers, Medical Assistants, Home Health Aides, Orderlies, Administrators, etc.
- Candidates seeking a career in the Health Care sector.
- This Level 5 Diploma provides an opportunity to candidates to progress in their studies and create a study route for further studies in Higher and Further Education while broadening the spectrum of advancement in own career path.
Career Paths
- The second level nurses in possession of a minimum Level 4 Certificate in Nursing (or comparable as per MQRIC) who successfully complete up to a minimum of the Level 5 Diploma in Health Sciences at 60 ECTS together with a Work Placement of 480 hours carried out at health settings are eligible to apply for first level nurses.
- The main objective of Level 5 Diploma in Health Sciences at 60 ECTS together with a Work Placement of 480 hours carried out at health settings is to convert second level nurses to first level nurses.
How you’ll be assessed
The course comprises:
- Evening classes for part-time courses.
- Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
- Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
- Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out via mandatory components:
- Modular Assessment
- Summative Assessment
- Work Placement Clinical Practices
The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules
Module Intake Dates
March/ April 2024
Learning Outcomes
Competences:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the physiological changes of pregnancy in relation to its clinical manifestations;
- Develop understanding of abnormalities or complications
- Develop a comprehensive understanding to the significance of having appropriate skills to support the patient during all the stages from pre-pregnancy and ante-natal care, labour and birth, to the well-being of mother and new-born using a holistic approach according to the ethical and legal framework of the Maltese Professional Code of Conduct.
- Differentiate between stages of fetal development
- Identify potential legal and ethical issues in neonatal care.
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the national immunization and screening programme and services.
Knowledge:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following indicative content:
- Bathing a Newborn and Cordcare.
- Milestones of Child Developement
- Abnormalitites and complications
- Ability to support the patient during all the stages from pre-pregnancy and ante-natal care, labour and birth, to the well-being of mother and new-born.
- Child birth Education Methods
- Legal and ethical issues in neonatal care
- Critical thinking to manage nursing care for culturally diverse clients
- Nursing Care regarding Vaginal Birth and Cesarean Section
- Nutrition and Feeding of a newborn
- Key terms associated with fetal development
- Immunisation and the importance of screening
- Principles of clinical practices in Mother and Child Care setting:
- Basic knowledge of legal and ethical considerations and practices in elderly care; Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct for Nurses and Midwives, Council for Nurses and Midwives, Malta, January 2020
- Beliefs and Cultural Practices in mother and child care
- Introducing an integrated holistic approach to patient/client care in mother and child care: physical, psychsocial and spiritual
- Understand basic communication styles, skills and techniques when working with a health team towards a common goal in mother and child care
- Identify the different roles and responsibilities of team members.
Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Educate potential patients on post natal care, discharge and possible complications.
- Provide advice regarding nutritional requirments throughout the stages of pregnancy and the new born;
- Evaluate a Newborn and apply APGAR Scoring
- Be able to have an understanding of the importance of having the appropriate skills for providing advice regarding immunization and screening using a holistic approach according to the ethical and legal framework of the Maltese Professional Code of Conduct.
Judgment Skills and Critical Abilities:
- Analyse different approaches to patient’s care in mother and child care context.
- Evaluate best practices in nursing care in mother and child context.
- Recognise the differences in beliefs and cultural practices in mother and child care practices.
Module-Specific Communication Skills:
The learner will be able to:
- Understand the importance of having different and appropriate communication skills to communicate with specialists and non-specialists.
Module-Specific Learner Skills
- Present own discussion and developments in a logical and organised manner through approaches of critical feedback and self-reflection.
- Engage with peers and/or team members to share and reflect on own development.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences
- Navigate through the online learning platform to find assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials etc.