Clinical training at Acadia School of Midwifery is structured to progress through clearly defined stages: beginning with observation, advancing to assisting, then to primary responsibility under supervision, and ultimately toward independent practice. Prior to each stage of clinical placement, students must complete the required didactic courses and skill labs, ensuring they demonstrate readiness to engage at the designated clinical level.

Minimum Three Years of Clinical Engagement.

At the Acadia School of Midwifery, clinical training is conducted through a structured, four-phase Clinical Internship Sequence that spans a minimum of three years.

Integration with Didactic Courses, Skill Labs, and Mentorship

Each placement is intentionally integrated with concurrent coursework in midwifery foundations, prenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, and newborn care. This alignment enables theory and practice to reinforce each other. Specific skill labs serve as prerequisites for entry into each new level of internship, confirming student preparedness for expanded responsibilities.

Additionally, students participate in weekly mentorship calls with the Acadia School of Midwifery Internship Faculty Mentor, who provides debriefing, integration, and guidance to ensure students remain on track with their internship objectives.

All clinical placement have a syllabus/handbook that is distributed to students and informs them of what to expect regarding the following: learning objectives, learning activities, learning materials, learning resources, and student evaluation/assessment methods.

Clinical Placement I: Observation & Integration

Learning Objectives:

• Demonstrate foundational understanding of the midwifery model of care.

• Accurately observe and record clinical care, including prenatal visits, labor, birth, and postpartum interactions.

• Begin developing communication, documentation, and reflective practice skills.

Learning Activities:

• Shadowing licensed midwives in all phases of care.

• Participating in prenatal/postnatal visits and birth attendance.

• Completing structured observation log sheets.

• Weekly virtual supervision with Acadia faculty supervisor.

Learning Materials:

• Clinical Observation Log Template

• Introductory Clinical Skills Checklist

• Readings on documentation standards and informed consent

Learning Resources:

• Acadia Skills Log & Portfolio Platform

• Preceptor Clinical Handbook

• Online Community Forum for Peer Discussion

• Video Tutorials: Observational Skills & Charting

Evaluation Methods:

• Preceptor mid-point and final evaluation

• Weekly supervisor meeting logs

• Submission of completed observation logs

• Reflective journal assessed by faculty

• Evaluation of participation and professionalism

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Clinical Placement IV–VI: Primary Midwife Under Supervision

Learning Objectives:

• Demonstrate clinical leadership as the Primary Midwife Under Supervision.

• Manage full client care with increasing autonomy and clinical decision-making.

• Exhibit advanced skills in emergency response, documentation, and culturally safe care.

Learning Activities:

• Lead prenatal visits, lab assessments, and full intrapartum care under supervision.

• Manage postpartum visits and breastfeeding consultations.

• Develop and implement individualized care plans.

• Complete Midwifery Skills Portfolio and Capstone integration.

Learning Materials:

• Advanced Skills Checklist

• NARM Clinical Skills Requirements Chart

• Capstone Project Planning Tools

Learning Resources:

• Acadia Clinical Evaluation Rubrics

• Emergency Simulation Practice Guide

• Skills Labs Access (optional onsite intensives or video demos)

• Ongoing access to faculty and community mentorship

Evaluation Methods:

• Final Preceptor Evaluation using Acadia/NARM-aligned rubric

• Mid- and end-point faculty-supervised triad evaluation

• Skills Checklist completion and sign-off

• Submission of a Clinical Reflection Report

• Satisfactory achievement of clinical numbers, including:

• Continuity of care experiences

• Required number of births, prenatals, postpartums, and newborn assessments

Clinical Placement I: Observation & Integration

Learning Objectives

By the end of this placement, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate a foundational understanding of the midwifery model of care.

• Accurately observe and describe clinical care, including prenatal visits, labor, birth, and postpartum interactions.

• Begin developing communication, documentation, clinical skills, and reflective practice.

Learning Activities

• Shadow licensed midwives in all phases of care (prenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, newborn).

• Charting practice: read client records prior to visits, discuss the clinical goals with the preceptor, write draft notes, and present them for feedback before incorporation into the official chart.

• Practice informed consent and documentation standards under preceptor guidance prior to direct client interactions.

• Participate in prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal visits, beginning with observation and gradually moving to supervised participation.

• Begin hands-on skills such as taking vital signs and performing palpation of fetal position under direct supervision.

• Complete structured observation log sheets to track exposure and reflection.

• Participate in weekly virtual supervision meetings with an Acadia faculty supervisor to debrief, integrate experiences, and set goals.

Learning Materials

• Clinical Observation Log Template

• Introductory Clinical Skills Checklist

Learning Resources

• Acadia Skills Log & Portfolio Platform

• Preceptor/Student Clinical Handbook

• Online Community Forum for peer discussion

• Acadia Faculty Clinical Mentor guidance and video tutorials

Evaluation Methods

• Preceptor mid-point and final evaluations

• Weekly supervisor meeting logs

• Submission of completed observation logs

• Reflective journal assessed by faculty

• Evaluation of participation and professionalism

• Tracking and verification of clinical hours and exposures: initial visits, prenatal care, labor/birth, postpartum, and final visits

Clinical Placement II: Assisting & Skills Development

Learning Objectives

By the end of this placement, students will be able to:

• Apply a deeper understanding of the midwifery model of care through active assisting.

• Competently assist midwives in prenatal visits, labor, birth, and postpartum care under supervision.

• Develop increasing proficiency in clinical communication, charting, and client interactions.

• Perform basic clinical skills (e.g., vitals, fetal assessment, newborn exam elements) with guidance.

• Demonstrate reflective practice and integration of clinical experiences with didactic learning.

Learning Activities

• Assist licensed midwives during prenatal visits, labors, births, postpartum, and newborn care.

• Charting practice: write full notes under preceptor review and begin contributing to official records with supervision.

• Informed consent: participate in presenting options and engaging with clients under preceptor guidance.

• Hands-on skills:

  Take and interpret vital signs

  Perform palpation and identify fetal position

  Practice fetal heart tone auscultation

  Assist in set-up, monitoring, and client support during labor and birth

  Participate in immediate newborn care under supervision

• Structured log sheets: record all assisted activities and skill practice.

• Weekly virtual supervision with Acadia faculty supervisor to debrief clinical experiences, refine skills, and set progressive goals.

Learning Materials

• Clinical Assisting Log Template

• Intermediate Clinical Skills Checklist

• Case Scenarios and Charting Exercises

Learning Resources

• Acadia Skills Log & Portfolio Platform

• Preceptor/Student Clinical Handbook

• Online Community Forum for peer discussion

• Acadia Faculty Clinical Mentor guidance and video tutorials

Evaluation Methods

• Preceptor mid-point and final evaluations

• Weekly supervisor meeting logs

• Submission of completed assisting logs and skill checklists

• Reflective journal assessed by faculty

• Evaluation of professionalism, teamwork, and client-centred practice

• Verification of clinical hours and exposures, including prenatal, labor/birth assisting, postpartum, and newborn care

Clinical Placement III: Primary Under Supervision

Learning Objectives

By the end of this placement, students will be able to:

• Take primary responsibility for client care across the prenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, and newborn continuum under direct preceptor supervision.

• Integrate knowledge from didactic coursework into clinical decision-making.

• Perform comprehensive prenatal assessments, including risk screening and client education.

• Lead labour and birth management under supervision, including documentation, informed choice discussions, and initial emergency responses.

• Demonstrate increased independence in charting, communication, and continuity of care.

• Reflect critically on clinical decisions, client outcomes, and professional role development.

Learning Activities

• Serve as primary midwife under supervision for prenatal visits, births, postpartum, and newborn care.

• Conduct client interviews, obtain histories, and present clinical findings to preceptor for oversight.

• Develop and implement care plans with preceptor guidance.

• Provide informed choice counseling and engage in shared decision-making.

• Perform full physical assessments: maternal vitals, fundal height, palpation, fetal heart tones, cervical exams under supervision, and postpartum checks.

• Document visits directly into official client records.

• Participate in management of complications and variations of normal under preceptor direction.

• Continue structured skills log and clinical portfolio documentation.

• Attend weekly faculty mentorship calls for case debrief, ethical reflection, and professional integration.

Learning Material

• Clinical Primary Care Log Template

• Advanced Clinical Skills Checklist

• Case Studies and Clinical Scenarios

Learning Resources

• Acadia Skills Log & Portfolio Platform

• Preceptor/Student Clinical Handbook

• Online Community Forum for peer support and faculty guidance

• Acadia Clinical Mentor consultation and case review videos

Evaluation Methods

• Preceptor mid-point and final evaluations

• Submission of primary care logs and skill checklists

• Weekly faculty mentorship meeting notes

• Reflective journal assessed by faculty

• Evaluation of professional conduct, communication, and leadership

• Verification of clinical hours and competencies as required by MEAC/NARM

Clinical Placement IV: Independent Practice & Integration

Learning Objectives

By the end of this placement, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate readiness for independent midwifery practice, while remaining under preceptor oversight.

• Manage the full spectrum of care: prenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, and newborn, with minimal guidance.

• Exercise clinical judgment, risk assessment, and emergency management independently.

• Integrate trauma-informed, evidence-based, and culturally safe practices into clinical care.

• Demonstrate leadership, accountability, and collaboration within the midwifery team and community.

• Complete all NARM/MEAC-required numbers and competencies.

Learning Activities

• Function as the primary care provider for clients throughout the full care cycle, with a preceptor available for oversight and intervention if needed.

• Independently conduct risk screening, clinical assessments, care planning, and client education.

• Lead labor and birth management, including complications and emergency procedures, with preceptor oversight.

• Provide postpartum and newborn care with minimal guidance.

• Complete full charting and client records independently.

• Develop referral and consultation skills by coordinating with other healthcare professionals.

• Participate in community engagement and advocacy as part of midwifery practice.

• Prepare a capstone clinical reflection that integrates your experiences, professional growth, and commitment to lifelong learning.

Learning Materials

• Independent Practice Clinical Log Template

• Final Competency Checklist

• Capstone Reflection Guidelines

Learning Resources

• Acadia Skills Log & Portfolio Platform

• Preceptor/Student Clinical Handbook

• Online Community Forum and case study discussions

• Faculty mentor support for transition to practice readiness

Evaluation Methods

• Preceptor final comprehensive evaluation of readiness for independent practice

• Submission of final clinical logs and competency checklists

• Faculty review of capstone reflection and professional portfolio

• Assessment of leadership, accountability, and client-centred care

• Verification of all clinical numbers and competencies as required by NARM/MEAC

Choice of Preceptor

At Acadia School of Midwifery, we recognize that every student’s midwifery path is unique. Depending on your goals, practice vision, and aspirations for your midwifery career, you may wish to learn from different types of midwives and practice settings.

Students are encouraged to seek out and propose preceptors of their choice— midwives whose philosophy, expertise, and clinical setting align with the student’s professional development. However, in order to ensure educational quality, safety, and compliance with standards, all proposed preceptors must be formally approved by Acadia School of Midwifery prior to the start of any internship.

Approval involves confirming that the preceptor:

• Meets the credentialing and supervisory requirements set by MEAC/NARM if the student’s goal is to pursue CPM certification.

• Demonstrates the experience, availability, and commitment to provide quality instruction and supervision, and maintains sufficient clinical volume to fulfill the requirements of the internship.

• Aligns with Acadia’s educational philosophy of evidence-based, trauma-informed, and client-centred care.

This approach allows Acadia students to personalize their clinical learning environment while ensuring that all internships meet the rigorous standards required for midwifery education and certification.

Role of the Acadia Faculty Mentor

At Acadia School of Midwifery, each student is supported by a Faculty Mentor throughout their clinical internship. The mentor’s role is to:

• Supervise and monitor progress to ensure the student remains on track with both internship requirements and personal learning goals.

• Facilitate integration of learning, helping students process and apply what they observe and practice in the clinical setting.

• Support reflective growth, guiding students in connecting their clinical experiences with didactic coursework.

• Serve as an advocate, supporting the student in communication with their preceptor if challenges or concerns arise.

This mentorship ensures that students not only meet the standards of midwifery education but also develop as reflective, confident, and competent practitioners.

International Clinical Placements

At Acadia School of Midwifery, we believe that learning extends beyond borders. One of the ways we distinguish ourselves from other programs is by offering international clinical placements that immerse students in diverse models of care.

Currently, students may train in Kenya at Pumwani Maternity Hospital, the largest public maternity facility in sub-Saharan Africa, gaining hands-on experience in high-volume, complex obstetric care. They also have the opportunity to work at FreMo Birth Centre, a community-based midwife-led clinic that provides dignified, women-centred care in resource-limited settings.

Participation in international placements is optional, and students must meet specific prerequisites before being accepted into the program. Please note that costs associated with travel, lodging, and international clinical training are not included in tuition or membership fees.

We are careful in the clinical internships we establish, ensuring collaborations with reputable organizations. Each site is evaluated for the quality of exposure, the strength and experience of preceptors, and a commitment to cultural safety—both for the local community and for our students. This ensures that learning is respectful, ethical, and mutually beneficial.

By developing international sites like these, Acadia prepares future midwives to practice with cultural competence, adaptability, and a truly global perspective on maternal and newborn health—an advantage for students who wish to work with organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) or the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

We are actively building relationships to expand our network of international placements, offering students even more opportunities to integrate midwifery education with global health practice.

-To be noted, the birth and clinical experience received outside the United States will NOT count toward NARM’s clinical requirements.