The introduction of ‘direct entry’ midwifery courses in Australian universities: Issues, myths and a need for collaboration

Abstract

This paper identifies some of the issues within the debate regarding the introduction of “direct entry’ midwifery education in Australia. It addresses questions that have been raised around terminology; the current midwifery education system; whether midwives also need to be nurses; how nurses who want to become midwives might enter the same programme with recognition of prior learning; and whether ‘direct entry’ midwifery education should become a mainstream option. A case is made for a collaborative initiative to consider all aspects of developing a national framework for Bachelor of Midwifery programmes.