Nurturing the next generation: Midwives' experiences when working with third year midwifery students in New Zealand

Abstract

Midwifery students require appropriate and timely access to clinical learning opportunities while completing a Bachelor of Midwifery and to achieve this they must be supported by practising midwives. This research sought to understand what supports midwives to work effectively with third year midwifery students. Midwives on the school’s database who regularly worked with midwifery students were invited to participate in the research. Data were gathered using midwife focus groups. The results reveal i) most placements were a positive experience, ii) issues were described that related to the students’ professional behaviour, iii) tensions were experienced by the midwife between the needs of the woman and the needs of the student and iv) tensions were experienced by the midwife as they moved between the roles of teacher, supporter and assessor of the student. Potential for further research is suggested.