The experiences of graduate midwives providing preceptorship to students on clinical placement

Background: The transition from a health profession student to a registered practitioner is a challenging time. Supporting the wellbeing of graduate midwives is important to enable a fulfilling early career experience and retention of the workforce, at a time when many are at risk of attrition due to ideological discord, burnout and anxiety. Graduate midwives are expected to precept students at a time when they are still consolidating clinical skills and confidence. There is a paucity of studies examining graduate midwives’ experiences of preceptorship provision to students. Examining the perspectives of graduate midwives who have provided preceptorship to students will provide valuable insights to optimise early career experiences for these learners and may enhance workforce retention.
Aim: To explore graduate midwives’ experiences of providing preceptorship to students on clinical placement.
Methods: This study used a qualitative descriptive design. Midwives who completed their first year of registered practice during January 2023 to March 2025 in an Australian public hospital maternity setting participated in focus groups or semi-structured individual interviews. Transcripts were recorded verbatim and analysed thematically.
Findings: Data collection is underway and key findings, presented as themes will be available by June 2025. It is anticipated themes will focus on the benefits and challenges of preceptorship, preceptorship as an expected activity for the graduate midwife, and the value of graduate preparation for student preceptorship.
Implications for midwifery practice, education or policy: Insight gained into graduate midwives’ experiences of providing preceptorship to students may be used to determine graduate midwives’ suitability to preceptor students at a time when they are transitioning from student to independent practitioner. This research will also inform future recommendations regarding the preparation and support needs for graduate midwives when providing preceptorship to students.