‘It takes a village’: a qualitative study exploring midwives’ and student midwives’ experience of the new Standards for Student Supervision and Assessment in practice

CAROLINE MYERSCOUGH, Giliane McKelvin*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (journal)peer-review

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Abstract

Abstract
Objective: To explore students’ and midwives’ preparation for and experiences of
supervision and assessment in practice, using the new SSSA.
Design: An exploratory qualitative study was undertaken. Student midwives (SMs) and registered midwives (RMs) were invited to participate using online recruitment strategies across closed groups. Participants were required to complete either an open-ended questionnaire or take part in an in-depth interview. The demographics and background data were presented in a descriptive format and qualitative data were analysed thematically.
Setting and participants: Twenty-two SMs and 13 RMs from across the United Kingdom who had experience using the new SSSA were recruited for this study.
Findings: The thematic analysis identified three key themes: ‘Thrown in the deep end’, where a lack of preparation, training, time, resources and communication were identified. ‘A double-edged sword’, in which staff and students identified the benefits of working with different professionals, while acknowledging the significant challenges they faced without the student–midwife relationship and lack of supervisor continuity. ‘A daily struggle’ was expressed because of burnout, which many students faced. Overall, one overarching theme
that threaded itself through the narrative was that ‘it takes a village’ to create competent and confident midwives. Key conclusions and implications for practice This study highlights some of the benefits students and midwives experience using the new standards but they are marred with significant challenges that need to be addressed to protect the future workforce and the public. There needs to be a more collaborative effort to ensure that midwives have the right resources, training and protected time to fulfil their roles as supervisors and assessors. The student journey across placement needs to be mapped out carefully to ensure that an element of continuity that builds a student–midwife relationship is maintained. This will alleviate the impact on student learning, confidence and burnout.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)217 - 226
Number of pages10
JournalMIDIRS Midwifery Digest
Publication statusPublished - 3 Sept 2023

Keywords

  • student placement,
  • students,
  • student experiences
  • midwifery,
  • clinical supervision,
  • Nursing and Midwifery Council,

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