title: Newly-graduated midwives transcending barriers: a grounded theory study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Midwifery has developed its own philosophy to formalise its unique identity as a profession. Newly-graduated midwives are taught, and ideally embrace, this philosophy during their education. However, embarking in their career within a predominantly institutionalised and the medically focused health-care model may challenge this application.
  The research question guiding this study was as follows: 'How do newly graduated midwives deal with applying the philosophy of midwifery in their first six months of practice?' The aim was to generate a grounded theory around this social process.
  
  
  METHODS
  This Western Australian grounded theory study is conceptualised within the social theory of symbolic interactionism. Data were collected by means of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 11 recent midwifery graduates. Participant and interviewer's journals provided supplementary data. The 'constant comparison' approach was used for data analysis.
  The substantive theory of transcending barriers was generated. Three stages in transcending barriers were identified: Addressing personal attributes, Understanding the 'bigger picture', and finally, 'Evaluating, planning and acting' to provide woman-centred care. An overview of these three stages provides the focus of this article.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The theory of transcending barriers provides a new perspective on how newly-graduated midwives deal with applying the philosophy of midwifery in their first six months of practice. A number of implications for pre and post registration midwifery education and policy development are suggested, as well as recommendations for future research.
authors: University of Western Australia, Faculty of Education, Graduate School of Education, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia; Curtin University, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Building 405, Kent Street, Bentley, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia. Electronic address: m.barry@curtin.edu.au.
authors: Michele J
authors: MJ
authors: Barry
authors: Yvonne L
authors: YL
authors: Hauck
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: O'Donoghue
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Clarke
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000592:standards; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012917:Social Adjustment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Graduate; Grounded theory; Midwifery; Transition