Fall 2010 - Association of Ontario Midwives

Interprofessional Care
Family Health Team
welcomes midwife
As the first midwife in Ontario to
formally have clinic space within a
Family Health Team (FHT), Andrea
Cassidy is able to informally consult
with physicians, nurses and social
workers whenever she needs.
Although the arrangement is still in
the early stages – Cassidy has only
had space within the Family Health
Team for a couple of months – she
says it has been an extremely positive
experience.
“Being a new midwife coming into
this community, this arrangement has
made the relationships really good,”
she says.
And it’s obviously a popular set up
that works for the other providers as
well – this is the second Family Health
Team to approach Cassidy. Though the
first team was too remote, Cassidy has
found a great fit with the Leamington
and Area Family Health Team.
Although she is not an employee of
the FHT, the arrangement provides
Cassidy’s clients enhanced care
because she has lots of support and
resources at her fingertips.
If a client is having trouble with her
partner or at home, Cassidy refers
her to the social worker. If a baby is
struggling with jaundice a little longer
than they should, she consults with
one of the physicians right in the
clinic.
“The other thing I find beneficial is
seamless care – clients go from their
family doctor or nurse practitioner
to me, then back again. If there’s
something going on with their care we
can work together,” she says.
She’s not the only one who benefits
from knowledge sharing – new nurses
or nurse practitioners who are hired
into the FHT shadow Cassidy to learn
about midwifery and she currently
has a fourth-year nursing student
completing a placement with her.
“Ultimately, physicians, nurses,
midwives – we all want to provide
excellent care,” she says.
Nadia Bellio, RM, and Natalie Tregaskiss, former L&D nurse and current student midwife, hold newborn Isabella Liut.
Shorter midwifery education program ideal for nurses
Deciding to go back to school once you’ve
already completed an undergraduate
degree in order to move your career in
a new direction is a daunting decision,
especially when you think about having to
put in another four years.
But that doesn’t always have to be the
case. For those with a health professional
degree, such as nursing or medicine, the
Midwifery Education Program (MEP)
offers the Post-Baccalaureate Program for
Health Professionals, allowing those who
already have a background in health care
to complete their midwifery degree in
only two years.
Dr. Susan James, Director, MEP of
Laurentian University said when the MEP
was expanded in 2007, the Ministry of
Health and Long-Term Care asked if it
would make sense to add a stream for
nurses. James had already helped one
student receive a combined nursing and
midwifery degree in a five-year program
and knew she could make it work.
“If we could get a student to finish a
nursing and midwifery degree together
in five years, then surely someone who
has graduated and has maternity care
experience could complete a midwifery
degree in two intense years,” James said.
Nurses are a logical fit because so many
of the courses they take in nursing school
overlap with courses midwifery students
take: anatomy, physiology, biology,
chemistry and a social/cultural course –
but anyone with a degree in health care,
including physicians and pharmacists, is
eligible.
Laurentian has set up its program so that
it works as a transfer credit system: any
credits already earned are transferred to
count toward the midwifery degree.
There are currently two students enrolled
at Laurentian who will graduate in two
years – the spring of 2012. Ryerson also
currently has two students enrolled – a
new student who started this fall like her
colleagues at Laurentian, and one who
started the program last year and will be
graduating from the post-baccalaureate
program this coming spring: Natalie
Tregaskiss.
Though interested in pursuing a career
in midwifery, Tregaskiss had already
completed two bachelor degrees and had
worked as a labour and delivery nurse in
Toronto for five years.
At this stage of her career, “the thought
of another four-year degree seemed
unfeasible,” she said.
But having worked with a midwife at St.
Michael’s Hospital, Tregaskiss learned of
the condensed program and thought it
was a great fit.
“I am delighted to finally be doing what I
have always wanted to do – it feels right,”
she said.
The “intense” program means students
work straight through six semesters
without summer breaks. While the core
midwifery courses and clinic hours are the
same, Tregaskiss said it helps to get credit
for previous schooling and experience.
“I hope more health professionals become
interested in the program and that the
program makes midwifery education
more accessible to those like myself who
are already working in the field,” she said.
To apply, visit www.ryerson.ca/midwife
or www.midwifery.laurentian.ca
04 ontario midwife • Fall 2010