professional development 

Registration Competence Programme for Overseas Midwives

In 2010 the Midwifery Council of New Zealand amended its registration competence programme for overseas midwives. Most overseas midiwves are now required to complete four online courses within two years of gaining registration in New Zealand. Otago Polytechnic offers these four courses as approved by the Midwifery Council.

The courses are:

• New Zealand Maternity and Midwifery Systems
• Pharmacology and Prescribing for Midwives
• Examination of the Newborn for Midwives
• Cultural Competence for Midwives (still under development)

Primarily these courses assist midwives to gain greater understanding of midwifery practice in New Zealand. However some also focus on specific knowledge and skills that midwives educated outside of New Zealand may not have. Successful completion of these courses will enable midwives to demonstrate that they meet specific competencies for entry to the Register of Midwives in New Zealand.

These courses may also suit midwives who are undertaking a ‘Return to Practice' Programme or undertaking elective education within the Recertification Programme. In this latter case the Midwifery Council has allocated elective education points to the courses (see specific course details).

 Follow this link for full information sheet

Other professional development resources
We are keen to develop other professional development resources  so please let us know what would be useful and we will see what we can do. Contact us using the tab at the bottom of the page and let us know your ideas.