attitudes to students - Page 8

midwifemissy · #71 (**permalink**) 26-May-2008, 09:46

It is awful when the ward is like this, it can be so demoralising as a student, I know when I have been on shift and it has been like this I feel like walking out and going home, cos all I seem to do is get in the way.

It is far from ideal, but it is real life and can't be built into the curriculum anywhere, and we just have to take each shift as it comes.

I too wonder if my resolve to be a better midwife/mentor than some I have seen and worked with will actually be possible in reality. But at the end of the day, we can only do our best, as a student and later a qualified midwife, and hopefully we will never lose sight of how hard it is to be that student trying so hard to 'find their feet and fit in'.

Originally Posted by smwife

Yesterday, we were very busy on labour ward, we closed for a while. The midwives were stressed, they took it out on me, as I cannot answer back. Simple. I felt like crying several times yesterday as sometimes we just don't seem to be able to do anything right, as alot of the time they are too busy to really teach anything. I am trying to see where they are coming from re the attitudes, imagining how I would feel as a midwife, being really busy and having a student, I 'd like to think I would not be the same and will make every effort to do so, trouble is I don't think that is as easy to do as to say.

My mentor yesterday was good, but she isn't inspirational, nor does she allow me to perform enough practical clinical tasks as she is uber efficient and I don't think it occurs to her tbh.

I don't know what the answer is, I adore midwifery and every time I felt down yesterday I went to speak to one of the women we were looking after and felt better for it. I fell like giving up some times, as it is so hard, but I refuse to, am aiming for the light at the end of the tunnel, I hope the bulb hasn't blown by the time I get there!

Goosy · #72 (**permalink**) 09-Jun-2008, 20:38

I willnot be able to hold my tongue in those sorts of situations. I am not one for conflict but it is totally disrespectful and i will report any behaviour like that to the uni and to my mentors or senior staff!!

They have been students at some point and instead of felling bitter should break the chain somewhere. It's so sad that at such an exciting time in our lives we have to endure such knockbacks!

Don't stand for it girls!!!!!!!

x

Butterfly · #73 (**permalink**) 11-Jun-2008, 17:09

Lately, i've found the lack of respect for students in general quite upsetting- i find sometimes even the HCA's can tell you off for doing something simple. I always try and make every effort to help them, especially when we're busy, like helping with bed baths and offering to change beds or do some cleaning. It's not like we're being deliberately lazy, sometimes i just genuinely don't know everything that goes on on the wards!! I also got told on a study day today, by a HCA that 'the student' could speak in the presentation as it was a 'good experience' for me.

I know that i am not a member of staff, that i am supernumerary, nervous, quiet and not around very often, but i have a name, i'm here to learn, and i am passionate about midwifery. I hate that sometimes i go home from work with such broken expectations and spirit, all because of the treatment i have received from, not the women whom we are here to serve, but the staff who are supposed to work as a team and respect/support each other.

coffeebean · #74 (**permalink**) 11-Jun-2008, 17:18

Oh Kelly I feel really sad that this happened to you and that it happens to so many students. I hope I will be able to keep my mouth shut when faced with this sort of behaviour but I probably won't be able to!! I will be assertive and will politely explain that we worked extremely hard to get on to the degree course and that we fought off tough competition to get where we are , so please treat me with respect as you will expect me to treat you!! Probably won't be popular but I can live with that!! I want to learn not be abused!!

smwife · #75 (**permalink**) 11-Jun-2008, 17:51

ksilk, that is just not on. I really do think someone needs to do something with regards to the negative and often completely demorilising and bullying treatment that students recieve on placement.

How does this help to make confident, competent autonomous practitioners? it is simply not good enough, whilst I am now having far less problems, the attitudes of some senior midwives and doctors is nothing short of elitist and rude. We all start somewhere and many people in midwifery seem to have clearly forgotten that...

midwifemissy · #76 (**permalink**) 11-Jun-2008, 18:51

I agree, but do you think that things won't start to change until the next generation of students qualify and start to replace some of the more 'senior' midwves, doctors etc?

smwife · #77 (**permalink**) 11-Jun-2008, 18:54

Ihope this is the case, fingers crossed Missy. Maybe we can make some real changes?
or maybe this has been said many times before?

coffeebean · #78 (**permalink**) 11-Jun-2008, 19:01

I will definately be changing the ways students are treated once I have a student to mentor. I have always believed that you have to be good to the people on your way up as they might be the people who catch you (or not) on the way down!!

midwifemissy · #79 (**permalink**) 11-Jun-2008, 19:05

As I see it, we have nothing to lose by trying....but could have everything to gain?

Originally Posted by smwife

Ihope this is the case, fingers crossed Missy. Maybe we can make some real changes?
or maybe this has been said many times before?

midwifemissy · #80 (**permalink**) 11-Jun-2008, 19:06

This is so very true coffeebean.

Originally Posted by coffeebean

I will definately be changing the ways students are treated once I have a student to mentor. I have always believed that you have to be good to the people on your way up as they might be the people who catch you (or not) on the way down!!

View Poll Results: is your learning experience a positive one?
yes, always	19	35.19%
no, never	1	1.85%
sometimes	35	64.81%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 54. You may not vote on this poll

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Mentors and students	midwifemissy	Clinical Placements	9	01-Mar-2008 21:56

		Student Midwife Forums > Main Forums > Student Midwife Training > Clinical Placements
attitudes to students

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

View Poll Results: is your learning experience a positive one?

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads