Graduate student midwives’ plans, perceptions job satisfaction, midwifery philosophy and midwifery continuity of care (Project ID SHSC0053)

Midwifery is experiencing workforce shortages. On average in Scotland there are 25 unfilled posts per trust, several trusts having shortages of more than 20% with the highest of 35%, indicating the need to optimise retention of the midwifery workforce. Studies of motivation and job satisfaction in midwifery consistently report that the relationships that midwives form with women and their families and the sense of making a difference and being valued by women in their care have the greatest impact on their intention to stay and job satisfaction. The influential UK study ‘Why midwives stay’ highlighted that midwives stay in midwifery practice because of high levels of motivation toward midwifery practice and philosophy, with professional identity as a midwife being ‘with woman’. All this coincides with the midwifery continuity of care model, being rolled out in 2017 in Scotland. Although graduate midwives are familiar with a woman-centred philosophy and midwifery identity values and educated to provide continuity of care to women, although to work exclusively in positions in providing continuity of care on graduation is uncommon – while these are factors very likely to contributing to stay in midwifery and known as protective factors that help engender graduate midwives’ commitment to midwifery.

Midwifery graduates may experience a transition shock that make them question their practice, although when experiencing a well-developed midwife-woman relationship sustains beginner midwives in practice. The opportunity to develop and articulate a personal midwifery philosophy and values greatly assist them to reinforce their identity as a midwife and confirm their commitment to the profession.

Therefore, it would inform education and practice to explore the immediate and aspirational plans and how these connect to midwifery philosophy, values and identity and workforce choices, reasons for staying in midwifery and job satisfaction of midwives about to graduate and the first year thereafter, and to what extent relationship-based care is related to immediate and aspirational employment.

This PhD studentship offers the candidate an opportunity to address these gaps in research evidence by a scoping review to collate and synthesise (graduating) midwifery students hopes, expectations and concerns when moving into practice followed by designing and conducting mixed-methods research to investigate graduate student midwives’ aspirations, plans, perceptions about job satisfaction, midwifery philosophy and continuity of care and what strategies they will use to remain satisfied and motivated in their graduate year and early career.  

The team has 1) advanced topic-related knowledge and experience (Prof. Dr. Kuipers, Dr. A. Aitken-Arbuckle), 2) research expertise in education (Dr. Crozier), 3) research expertise in developing midwifery (Dr. Crozier), 4) advanced methodology-related knowledge and expertise (Prof. Dr. Kuipers).

 

Academic qualifications

A first degree (at least a 2.1) ideally in health or social care discipline with a good fundamental knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods.

 

English language requirement

IELTS score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the four components). Other, equivalent qualifications will be accepted. Full details of the University’s policy are available online.

 

Essential attributes:

·        Experience of fundamental grounding in field of learning

·        Competent in working independently

·        Knowledge of the midwifery domain and healthcare workforce

·        Good written and oral communication skills

·        Strong motivation, with evidence of independent research skills relevant to the project

·        Good time management

Desirable attributes:

·        Knowledge and/or experience of working and communicating with individuals, ideally in a healthcare setting

·        MSc in research methods or similar postgraduate qualification

·        Experience/ involvement in reviews, e.g. searching, selecting and appraising

·        Experience/ involvement of using quantitative and/or qualitative research methods

·        A research mentality

·        IT skills

Interviews will take place, week commencing 12 August 2024

TO APPLY PLEASE CLICK ON THE ‘INSTITUTION WEBSITE’ LINK ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF THIS PAGE.

When applying, please quote the application reference SHSC0053  on your form.

 APPLICATION CHECKLIST

·        Completed application form 

·        CV

·        2 academic references, using the Postgraduate Educational Reference Form (Found on the application process page)

·        A personal research statement (This should include (a) a brief description of your relevant experience and skills, (b) an indication of

·        What you would uniquely bring to the project and (c) a statement of how this project fits with your future direction.)

·        Evidence of proficiency in English (if appropriate)