Rankin Inlet (Oct 16/06) - It was a special moment in Rankin Inlet earlier this month when Diane Tiktak and Rachel Jones became the first two graduates of the maternity-care-worker program at Nunavut Arctic College's Kivalliq campus.

Rachel Jones is continuing her studies to become a midwife after graduating from the maternity-care-worker program at Nunavut Arctic College in Rankin Inlet earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Doug McLarty

The course is a prerequisite to the midwifery program currently being developed by Arctic College.

Tiktak and Jones have entered the midwifery program, and their maternity-care instructor, Sharyn Fraser, has continued on with the two grads to teach them the finer points of midwifery.

The program is still being developed, and its content is being tested on Tiktak and Jones.

Fraser says the curriculum will be evaluated in about eight months, before working its way through the college system for approval.

"Basically, we're still in the development-and-delivery process with the midwifery diploma program," says Fraser. "Our two graduates are now government employees at the Rankin birthing centre."

Being a first-time program, Fraser says numerous factors, such as whether they're moving too fast or slow with the curriculum, have to be examined.

She says elements may have to be added that weren't anticipated at the outset, while some subjects may require more time than others.

"Midwifery is a big field, so we're looking at how we can effectively narrow it down to the important skills.

"We have a lot of evaluation to do before we submit the final course for approval."

Fraser says another challenge course designers must meet is to ensure there is sufficient time and opportunity available for the practical components of the program.

She says placements for students to develop their practical skills are somewhat limited in the North, due to the low number of birthing women.

"A student may go to a birthing centre for eight weeks and experience a number of learning situations, while another may not have too much happen during that time.

"That's one of the main reasons why we're still looking at the second year of the program very closely.

"We must ensure the students end up competent practitioners who can provide safe and effective care in their community."