Kimberley chose the University of Notre Dame Australia to gain her Graduate Diploma of Midwifery after hearing good things about it from those close to her. 

“Notre Dame University was the obvious choice for me after it was recommended by so many family members and friends for the open and relaxed nature of the campus,” she said. 

“The best aspect of studying here is the small, close-knit community that is so welcoming and easy to become a part of. And the staff are passionate, inspiring and encouraging.” 

Brad agrees. He decided to do his Graduate Diploma of Midwifery at Notre Dame because he knew the access to staff would benefit his studies. 

“The educators are so willing to help prepare and progress you through the course,” he said. 

The exceptional student support was also key to Joelle’s decision to undertake further nursing study at Notre Dame. Currently completing a Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Nursing, Joelle had previously studied at Notre Dame for her undergraduate degree.  

“I did my Bachelor of Nursing here and loved it,” she said. “I really value the community feel and the personal approach to student support.”  

Notre Dame’s School of Nursing & Midwifery is certainly distinctive for its teaching culture, delivery of quality contemporary education and its pastoral care mission. 

However, with state-of-the-art simulation facilities and a comprehensive contemporary curriculum, including an emphasis on practical experience, it is also highly regarded by the professions.  

Master of Nursing graduate, Renae, said her postgraduate qualifications were key to securing a more senior role in the profession she feels so passionately about.  

“I now hold a substantive position as a Staff Development Nurse within the Operating Theatres at a major tertiary hospital. My further studies certainly helped me secure this position, as now I am regarded not only as an experienced professional within my field, I also have formal qualifications to substantiate my position.” 

Notre Dame has range of postgraduate nursing and midwifery programs on offer, designed to allow nurses to re-enter the profession or specialise in areas such as midwifery, mental health and clinical nursing. Internationally qualified registered nurses can complete a short course to help them prepare for the Ahpra assessments to be eligible to practice in Australia. 

Brad explains why studying midwifery was important to him, “While a speciality, midwifery has so many interactions with body systems that when I encountered having to nurse a pregnant woman I felt out of my scope.  

Being a senior nurse and having to respond to critically ill pregnant women I felt there was a significant skill and knowledge deficit and I wanted to bridge that gap for my own professional practice. Having my Graduate Diploma of Midwifery will open many more career opportunities and I’m excited to see what those opportunities will bring.” 

All postgraduate programs incorporate a focus on ethical practice and patient-centred care and are developed with leading healthcare providers. They highlight critical thinking, clinical reasoning, reflection and the use of current evidence and research to make sound clinical judgments to practice safely in a complex health environment. 

Short courses are also available for CPD accreditation and upskilling ranging from registered nurse refreshers, IV canulation and eating disorders to advanced life support, and triage in the emergency department. 

Postgraduate programs in our School of Nursing & Midwifery are available from our Fremantle and Sydney campuses, and from our new Werribee Clinical School in Victoria (subject to accreditation). Commonwealth Supported Places are available for selected programs. For more information, or to enrol in study for Semester 2 2024, visit Postgraduate Nursing & Midwifery.  

Article sponsored by the University of Notre Dame Australia.