STUDENT EDUCATION EXPERIENCES
5 Talks
Students are the future of the midwifery workforce and play an essential role in the sustainability of the profession. However, the journey though studentship is not always an easy path. This boxset explores the challenges faced during midwifery education and innovate ways to support students to fulfil their potential.
Eyes and Shoes: capturing the student midwife experience
2018 | 15 mins | Student education experiences
Vikki Coleman, Bank Midwife, Nursing Associate Project Manager and Pip Stalberg, Professional Midwifery Advocate, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust give a presentation capturing the student midwife experience. Using the ‘Whose Shoes’ concept to promote conversation between those who do not usually engage with each other, this project was triggered by concerns surrounding student experiences. Board games and birth scenarios were used to elicit discussion, with a mixture of members from the MDT in each group, using a graphic illustrator to reflect emerging themes. Results found that student experiences mirrored feedback given by service users. The talk concluded discussing maintaining the momentum of listening to student voices, including their #BannerOnTour initiative.
Vikki Coleman, Bank Midwife, Nursing Associate Project Manager, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Pip Stalberg, Professional Midwifery Advocate, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Sustaining midwifery together
2017 | 13 mins | Student education experiences
Anna Byrom, Senior Midwifery Lecturer at UCLan, and Editor of The Practising Midwife discusses the importance of sustaining relationships and connection with others. Anna talks about how midwives and students can connect together to support each and build the profession and introduces the All4Maternity platform as a tool to support this.
Anna Byrom, Senior Midwifery Lecturer at UCLan; Editor of The Practising Midwife
Student Midwife Reflective Journal: Innovation between practice & education
2019 | 18 mins | Student education experiences
Beginning within the national context of attrition and burnout, Kizzy and Yvonne discuss the development of a journal for students to use throughout their programme, promoting reflection. With the ethos of promoting readiness, responsiveness, respect and resilience, students were encouraged to regularly engage in short reflection. Sitting outside the assessed curriculum, feedback from students has been positive, with contributions from service users, educators, and MDT members to provide encouragement. The talk concluded with considerations of evaluation and expanding the use of the journal to other universities, professions, and preceptorship programmes.
Kizzy Lynch, Lead Midwife for Education at the University of Lincoln
Yvonne McGrath, Consultant Midwife, Better Births, Lincolnshire East CCG
Midwifery students’ experiences of being bullied on placement
2021 | 27 mins | Student education experiences
Having experienced bullying herself, Tanya discusses her doctoral research exploring bullying towards students on placement in the UK. Using questionnaires and interviews, the research found dysfunctional relationships, an impact on physical and psychological wellbeing, poor workplace cultures, a negative impact on learning and difficulties confronting bullying. The impact of bullying was sometimes severe, with students discussing deteriorating mental health and leaving the profession. The talk concluded with a call to action to improve local culture and improving pathways to combat bullying and reduce burnout and attrition.
Tanya Capper, Midwife, Brisbane, Australia and PhD student
Continuity of carer: An exploration of third year student midwives perceptions and views of their readiness to work in a continuity of care model at the point of professional registration
2019 | 21 mins | Student education experiences
Student midwives are required to explore continuity of care during their programme, particularly with the national drive to implement of Better Births. Caitlin Wilson aims to explore experiences of student midwives’ readiness to work in continuity models, and what support is required to support this. Most students felt positive about working in continuity, however recognised systemic challenges. However, research found that, in reality, students had limited understanding of continuity, learning as they go and from supervisors. Confidence, autonomy, and group dynamics were highlighted as key themes. Caitlin concludes asking midwives to change the narrative around newly qualified midwives working in continuity models, with the findings supporting they are ready for this challenge.
Caitlin Wilson, Consultant Midwife, University of Worcester and Worcestershire Acute Hospital trust
