New Zealand's midwifery profession: Embracing graduate midwives' transition to practice

Abstract

This research explored the midwifery graduate's perspective of the MFYP programme to identify which elements were important and supported them in their transition to confident practitioner. Method: Survey methodology was used to explore the views of the MFYP programme participants for the years 2007 to 2010. This paper provides the qualitative analysis of the open text responses in the survey and explores the support needs of graduate midwives during their first year of practice. Findings: A total of 180 midwives responded to the survey, with the majority also providing text responses to enable more in-depth understanding of their views. Graduate midwife participants were supported to consolidate practice skills and decision making, and to develop networks within the midwifery and wider health communities. An unexpected finding was that this support was provided by the whole midwifery community for all graduates, whether they were employed or self-employed. The mentoring relationship was also considered an important source of support. Conclusion: Graduate midwives are gaining wrap-around support from the whole midwifery community. This research, unlike any previous international or national research, demonstrates that midwives in New Zealand have taken on collective responsibility for supporting graduates. This suggests that this national programme has successfully fostered a culture of nurturing midwife graduates into their professional role.

Midwives Mentoring Midwives: A Review of the Evidence and Best Practice Recommendations

“…This review identified 3 types of mentoring relationships within 10 eligible studies: (1) student to student (peer), (2) midwife to student, and (3) midwife to new graduate midwife. The majority of reviewed studies were descriptive in nature and published in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand 13,14,28–34 . One study was published in the United States 4 …”

Clinical Practice of Midwifery Graduates During Community Service Placement, Limpopo Province South Africa

“…Midwifery graduates found it hard to cope with the demands of clinical practice as they felt insecure and frustrated; which resulted from the difference they marked between theory learnt during training and the way skills were performed in the clinical setting. According to Kensington et al (2016)'s report, newly qualified midwives were concerned about the differences that existed between the knowledge they acquired in the classroom regarding performance of skills and the way procedures are done in the clinical setting; which led to confusion. Power (2016) echoed the same sentiments when reporting that theory practice gap should be addressed as it may lead to a situation whereby graduates may start to question the credibility of the training they have undergone.…”

“…In a study conducted by Kensington et al (2016) graduates revealed that, a major cause of anxiety during transition period was drug administration as students carried this procedure out only under rigorous supervision; but were expected to practise unsupervised following qualification. The findings by Cummins et al (2018) reflected similar version when they noted the inconsistencies in preparation for management, suggesting that while the theoretical context was adequate, the practical aspects, such as drug administration, prioritising, decision making, and clinical skills were variable.…”

“…In their study on 'graduates' experiences regarding transition', Kensington et al (2016), revealed that participants reported a situation that was challenging to them in terms of lack of experience, heavy workload whereby patients demanded quality care whereas students needed to be supervised. Stone (2018) concurred, when reporting about the reality of busy clinical areas where graduates were expected to be responsible for management of the ward, patient care and supervision of subordinates including students; and all these left participants feeling frustrated.…”

“…In a study conducted by Kensington, Campbell, Gray, Dixon, Tumilty, Pairman, Calvert and Lennox (2016), it was reported that, the process of transition from being a midwifery student to a professional midwife is very much challenging and stressful; as graduates have their unrealistic expectations which might be far much different from the reality of clinical practice. Wain (2017) echoed the same sentiments when reporting that, on completion of training, graduates are proud and perceive themselves as highly knowledgeable, when faced with the real world of work they suffer frustration when they realise they are unable to cope.…”