The good midwife: commencing students' views.
OBJECTIVE
to explore commencing students' views of the good midwife. This study was set against a background of high course attrition and concerns that discordant students' views of midwifery practice may have been associated with course attrition.


METHODS
qualitative thematic analysis.


METHODS
Melbourne, Australia.


METHODS
all commencing midwifery students, in 2008, were invited to participate (n = 41).


RESULTS
students spoke of a series of key attributes they felt were important to the role of the midwife. Most fell into the affective domain and four themes were identified: personal qualities and attitudes; a belief in women and natural birth; compatible work ethic; and the possession of additional attributes.


CONCLUSIONS
commencing students showed a clear understanding of the affective attributes required of a good midwife but a lesser understanding of requirements of knowledge and competence. A small number of students felt that they were already equipped to advise pregnant women, despite their early stage in the course. This is an issue that needs to be addressed.
Carolan
Mary
M
Department of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Limerick, Health Sciences Building, North Bank Campus, Ireland. mary.carolan@UL.ie
D000328:Adult; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D011247:Pregnancy; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria; D055815:Young Adult