You must have read my mind with your post, I was just thinking how much I am not looking forward to going on shift today.

I find that some mentors/midwives are brilliant, really helpful, explain everything in a way you can understand, help you gain skills, experience and confidence, and give you things to do that match your level and competence. This to me is how it should be.

But sadly, there are others who seem to view students as an inconvenience, make it clear without words that they don't really want to have to work with you, and treat you like your invisible.

I don't know how the mentor scheme works, but I feel that a midwife should only be a mentor if they want to be, and if they don't, then for everyone's sake, please don't do it. If a midwife doesn't have a choice whether or not to mentor students, then I think that should be changed.

I know continuity isn't always possible, and I don't have a problem with that, so long as I am treated as a human being with feelings and not an inconvenience to be 'coped with'

A mentor/midwife in my opinion either makes or breaks a placement, and it is clear from the start which it is going to be, and that is very sad for all concerned.

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

PAB Support Worker