Abstract
Introduction
Burnout is an occupational phenomenon impacting physical and mental health, job satisfaction and work quality. These factors increase the likelihood of midwives taking an intermission from clinical practice to seek other opportunities. While some may opt to return to clinical midwifery practice, opportunities can be limited after a period of absence and for some, the prospect of reintegrating into the midwifery workforce may seem daunting. The Nursing and Midwifery Board mandate re-entry programs for those who have not worked for five or more years but for those who have worked irregularly or have had a period of absence for less than five years, all that may be required is short course to increase confidence and knowledge of local policies.
Aim
The aim of this project is to develop and deliver a short course for midwives wishing to return to practice after an absence of less than five years.
Methods
This program will be delivered via a staged, multipronged approach to supporting midwives to re-engage in clinical midwifery services. Phase one will involve a scoping review to inform the development of an evidence-based short course for midwives following a period of non-practice. Phase two will see the development of an educational package including (1) an online short course; (2) 5-day intensive clinical simulation workshop; and (3) a 10-day professional placement in a local health network to assist midwives to re-engage in clinical midwifery practice. Phase 3 will involve the recruitment of five participants to pilot the educational package.
Results
Results of this pilot study, collected via surveys and interviews, will be presented.
Discussion and conclusions
This study will upskill midwives after a period of absence from midwifery clinical practice, thereby increasing the midwifery workforce. Increased numbers of midwives will aid in improved working conditions for multidisciplinary staff and in turn, assist in reducing burnout and fatigue in the workforce.
Burnout is an occupational phenomenon impacting physical and mental health, job satisfaction and work quality. These factors increase the likelihood of midwives taking an intermission from clinical practice to seek other opportunities. While some may opt to return to clinical midwifery practice, opportunities can be limited after a period of absence and for some, the prospect of reintegrating into the midwifery workforce may seem daunting. The Nursing and Midwifery Board mandate re-entry programs for those who have not worked for five or more years but for those who have worked irregularly or have had a period of absence for less than five years, all that may be required is short course to increase confidence and knowledge of local policies.
Aim
The aim of this project is to develop and deliver a short course for midwives wishing to return to practice after an absence of less than five years.
Methods
This program will be delivered via a staged, multipronged approach to supporting midwives to re-engage in clinical midwifery services. Phase one will involve a scoping review to inform the development of an evidence-based short course for midwives following a period of non-practice. Phase two will see the development of an educational package including (1) an online short course; (2) 5-day intensive clinical simulation workshop; and (3) a 10-day professional placement in a local health network to assist midwives to re-engage in clinical midwifery practice. Phase 3 will involve the recruitment of five participants to pilot the educational package.
Results
Results of this pilot study, collected via surveys and interviews, will be presented.
Discussion and conclusions
This study will upskill midwives after a period of absence from midwifery clinical practice, thereby increasing the midwifery workforce. Increased numbers of midwives will aid in improved working conditions for multidisciplinary staff and in turn, assist in reducing burnout and fatigue in the workforce.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | S12-S12 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Women and Birth |
| Volume | 36 |
| Issue number | Supplement 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Sept 2023 |
| Event | Australian College of Midwives National Conference: Be the Change - Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, Australia Duration: 12 Sept 2023 → 14 Sept 2023 https://www.acm2023.org |
Keywords
- Midwives
- Retraining
- Training program
