A dedicated midwifery program at Buderim Private Hospital is helping those new to the profession learn all they can about bringing life into the world.
New midwife Mia Swadling not only has the right name for the job, but she is also the inaugural recipient of a placement on the Sunshine Coast hospital’s Midwifery Novice Program.
It offers newly-graduated midwives the opportunity to consolidate the knowledge and skills learnt through their university studies within the UnitingCare Australia-owned facility’s maternity service.
Mia finished her registered nursing and midwifery studies at the University of the Sunshine Coast at the end of 2021 and applied for the only position available on the course.
“I am really excited and honoured to be selected as the first recipient of this dedicated midwifery program,” Mia said.
“Throughout my degree, many of my placements were at Buderim Private Hospital which is why I knew this is the place I wanted to be as I really enjoyed working with the team and its focus on women-centred care.
“Everyone has been incredibly welcoming and supportive,” she added.
“I am enjoying the opportunity to build and establish a relationship with my patients and coming back each day and seeing the same familiar faces.”
Buderim Private Hospital’s General Manager, Karen Clark, said the program aimed to foster nursing capability, skill sets and professional development.
“We are very pleased to help contribute to excellence in nursing and patient care for current and future generations,” she said.
Mia said being a midwife was everything she had hoped it would be.
“My childhood dream was to become a midwife. Up until my early teenage years, I was still carrying around dolls,” she said.
“I have always been maternal and was obsessed with pregnancy and babies, so I always knew that midwifery was the career for me, and I am so excited I have been able to fulfil my dream.
“It’s an amazing job which you look forward to coming to every day.
“Bringing new babies into the world and helping new mums and dads during the most special moments of their lives is incredibly rewarding.”
