Undertaking midwifery studies: commencing students' views.
OBJECTIVE
to explore the motivations and beliefs of commencing midwifery students against a background of high course demand and high student attrition.


METHODS
a qualitative analysis of student reflective essays.


METHODS
Melbourne, Australia.


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


RESULTS
three primary motivations for choosing midwifery were identified, including: notions of altruism (wanting to help), a fascination with pregnancy and birth, and a view of midwifery as a personally satisfying career.


CONCLUSIONS
Bachelor of Midwifery programmes attract students with idealised views about midwifery practice. Such views may lead to student disillusionment, tensions with educators and clinicians, and higher rates of student attrition. Students need greater support to examine their views about midwifery practice. More meaningful support may assist the students' successful socialisation into clinical practice.
Carolan
Mary
M
Department of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Limerick, Ireland, Health Sciences Building, North Bank Campus, Ireland. mary.carolan@UL.ie
Kruger
Gina
G
D000328:Adult; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria; D055815:Young Adult