Becoming a midwife is time of evolving and developing! In this article Nicole Rajan-Brown, Third-year student midwife, University of Salford and Editor-in-Chief, The Student Midwife Journal shares some helpful tips of how to step through this minefield and develop a personal midwifery identity.
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Developing an identity as a midwife: an impossible task?
A core strength of the midwifery workforce is its diversity. The different personal and professional backgrounds of midwives bring a plethora of experiences which improve practice and relationships. This includes the diversity of identities seen within midwifery; each midwife has a passion and a sense of belonging within different aspects of midwifery practice. By understanding, recognising and nurturing midwives to practice in an area in which to thrive and where they can bring them best of themselves, we can continue to enhance midwifery and perinatal services, whilst improving job satisfaction.
The gap
There is a well-known theory-practice gap, but how does this apply to the development of an identity as a student midwife? Student midwifery is spilt into theory and practice. The theory provides students with the concept of what a midwife is, the scope of practice, but it is in practice that each individual student begins to discover who they are as a midwife.
The face of midwifery is changing as fast as students can learn. Furthermore, practice and theory are often difficult to reconcile as students learn about evidence-based care, get do not see this implemented, creating dual identities between academia and practice. The theory-practice gap is arguably more evident to students, as the latest evidence is continually critiqued in academic study. Joining the two elements of studentship together can seem like an impossible task when students are not exposed to the full scope of midwifery practice during clinical placements, such as physiological third stage or intermittent auscultation.
In recent years, the face of midwifery has seen seismic change, which has had a drastic effect on the student experience. Increasing student numbers, COVID-19, and the Ockenden report have all had a role to play. Students are struggling to meet statutory requirements, and exposure to varying experiences due to the saturation of students on placements. Practice supervisors and assessors are under pressure from staffing and burnout, leading to fewer opportunities for passing on essential knowledge to students.
A profession which thrives in protecting closed doors, low-lit, private spaces is being thrust under the bright lights of political, public and media scrutiny; from the oxytocin of midwifery to adrenaline. Within this context, the space to start to develop an identity has become increasingly challenging.
It’s only the beginning
Identity develops and grows across a career; acknowledging identity as a student is only the beginning. In this sense, midwifery is much like learning to drive. The true learning doesn’t begin until after you’ve passed. Your midwifery identity is a work in progress, and something to nurture, grow and develop. Across , students should begin to develop an awareness of individual identity, recognising it in others and exploring the concept in themselves. Identity takes experiences, mentoring and reflection to develop.
Nurturing your identity
As a student at the start of your midwifery career, there are plenty of chances to expose yourself to opportunities to foster your midwifery identity:
- Reflect on the midwives that you see around you
Across education, students have the benefit of working with a wide range of different midwives, each with their own identity and passions. Use these role models to build your practice, taking the best from each of the midwives you work with, amalgamating it to support your unique midwifery identity.
- Use what you already know as a catalyst for learning
As a student, you are already beginning to develop your identity and passions, whilst being continually absorbed in the most contemporary evidence and practice. Have confidence in your knowledge and critical thinking skills. Use these and your student status to ask questions, seek knowledge and learn.
- Seek out experiences
Student midwifery is about exploration. Take every opportunity to exposure yourself to the full scope and range of midwifery practice. Studentship is a rare opportunity to see all areas of midwifery clinically, academically and beyond.
- Find your ‘passion project’
Student midwifery is a rollercoaster, particularly within the current context of staffing, reports and media spotlights. Nurturing your passions will nurture you as a student. Seek out opportunities to be involved in topics that interest you. Whether that be through writing, conferences, study days, spoke placements, enacting change locally, midwifery societies… Whilst supporting you in finding your identity as a qualified midwife, and finding others with similar passions, having a project you’re passionate about alongside your programme provides a reminder of your reasons for entering the profession.
There is no denying the pressures of student midwifery. The path to discovering your identity as a midwife can provide a guiding light and foundations from which to grow. In this challenging environment, returning to core values acts as a reminder of where you find your joy within midwifery, whilst holding yourself accountable to your individual development throughout studentship and beyond.
Nicole Rajan-Brown
Third-year student midwife, University of Salford
Editor-in-Chief, The Student Midwife Journal