title: Concerns among first year midwifery students: towards addressing attrition rates.
abstract: Since 2000, there has been a shift to undergraduate midwifery education in Australia. Midwifery students are generally highly motivated, however attrition rates remain high among first-year students. This study was undertaken in one Australian University against a background of high course demand and high student attrition. Thirty-two first-year midwifery students completed a demographic questionnaire and wrote a reflection in response to the question: What if anything, would make your experience as a first year student better? Data were subjected to thematic content analysis. Findings indicated a need for: greater opportunities to prepare; for more time to study; for greater student supports; and outlined difficulties such as financial and childcare. In conclusion, undergraduate midwifery courses and local conditions vary among institutions. Student feedback is a useful way of identifying local concerns that may impact on student completion rates. This is a necessary first step to the provision of meaningful student support.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Mary C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Carolan
authors.forename: Gina B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Kruger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012944:Social Support; D013332:Student Dropouts; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology