A new University of the Sunshine Coast degree aims to fast-track registered nurses into midwifery careers to target a state and global workforce shortage of maternity care professionals.
UniSC's Graduate Diploma in Midwifery, to be offered from next year, will enable registered nurses to become midwives in one year instead of the current 18 months.
UniSC Associate Professor Terri Downer said it was an exciting time to be considering a midwifery career, with recent government changes boosting midwives' scope of practice.
Dr Downer said the state and federal governments were investing millions of dollars into the future midwifery workforce, amid an estimated global shortage of 900,000 skilled practitioners.
"Queensland Health requires a significant number of midwives just to replace forecast workforce departures through retirement and attrition," Dr Downer said.
"This new degree, which will be offered online with on-campus intensives, will teach students how to support women and their families throughout pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and beyond.
"Strong demand is expected due to its focus on addressing current workforce shortages and the use of innovative UniSC facilities and technology, including virtual reality and immersive audiovisual experiences in the CAVE2 studio."
First enrolments are expected in the new degree from March 2025, subject to its accreditation approval.
