attitudes to students

smwife · #1 (**permalink**) 06-Mar-2008, 09:14

I am interested to hear other's views on this.

It is beginning to really wear me down. I am a grown-up, dedicated, hard-working and enthusiastic. I am also finding I can be tolerant, patient and able to prevent myself from crying in public (sometimes)

This is not with women you understand, no.

This is with staff.

I am getting to the point where I will have to do or say something.

Obviously there is the other side. Those kind mentors who do their best to ease your worries, genuinely want to teach you and inspire you. Berate you gently when you do things wrong and commend you when you get it right. This is the role of the mentor is it not? support and education?

What is your experience/opinion?

What do you think can be done if anything?

midwifemissy · #2 (**permalink**) 06-Mar-2008, 09:23

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.

TallPoppy · #3 (**permalink**) 06-Mar-2008, 12:48

I know of situations where students have found some staff attitudes difficult and have felt unmotivated and at worst it has been one of the reasons why people have left.... Its time to hear from the students across the world what they have experienced.

Good idea for a poll smwife

ollybolly · #4 (**permalink**) 06-Mar-2008, 16:40

MW's as far as i know do not have a choice whether to mentor or not, which is why we end up with so many disheartened students. On the whole I have been lucky and had fantastic mentors but found the attitude of the some of the staff on shift, frankly disgusting.

We are being trained to be the MW's of the future, to embrace multi disciplinary, inter-professional working, or so we are told, but, (and i quote) 'i have been a MW here for 38 years and nothing has ever changed and nothing ever will!' I have never ever worked in a place with so much back stabbing bitching and moaning about people in my life. It is totally shocking

I think people do not understand what a difficult position students are sometimes in and how totally insignificant you can feel and how much of an inconvenience it is to have you around. My backbone has certianly grown and become strong over this last year!

Dory · #5 (**permalink**) 06-Mar-2008, 17:00

I can remember as a student in the run up to a new placement, seeing a midwife on delivery suite who was to be my mentor for my next placement. I had never spoken to her before, so went up to introduce myself, saying, Hi, I'm Dory, I'm allocated to work on the ward with you from next week. She sighed, looked at the m/w sitting next to her, and said 'can't you have her....' I told her I'm not that bad and that it's a good idea I'm not easily upset - less confident student would have felt crushed.

Never mind the student/mentor thing, as one human being speaking to another, I just found that bloody rude.

midwifemissy · #6 (**permalink**) 07-Mar-2008, 14:39

Originally Posted by Dory

I can remember as a student in the run up to a new placement, seeing a midwife on delivery suite who was to be my mentor for my next placement. I had never spoken to her before, so went up to introduce myself, saying, Hi, I'm Dory, I'm allocated to work on the ward with you from next week. She sighed, looked at the m/w sitting next to her, and said 'can't you have her....' I told her I'm not that bad and that it's a good idea I'm not easily upset - less confident student would have felt crushed.

Never mind the student/mentor thing, as one human being speaking to another, I just found that bloody rude.

I had an experience where a midwife said to me on my first day on a placement that she didn't want another student as she 'had one a few weeks ago' It's fine that a midwife doesn't want to work with a student, but to say that in front of them when they are already nervous and apprehensive to me is unforgiveable.

smwife · #7 (**permalink**) 07-Mar-2008, 15:22

Interesting if saddening responses!

I was hoping attitudes would be better for most of you!

I do understand it is difficult if midwives do not want to menotr, but it is part of the midwives' role.

I want to do something about it, and in a few years want to be a lecturer.

Keep the votes and replies coming!

Myself and Olly will be compiling a letter to RCM, MIDIRS and TPM very soon.

smwife · #8 (**permalink**) 07-Mar-2008, 15:24

Originally Posted by Dory

I can remember as a student in the run up to a new placement, seeing a midwife on delivery suite who was to be my mentor for my next placement. I had never spoken to her before, so went up to introduce myself, saying, Hi, I'm Dory, I'm allocated to work on the ward with you from next week. She sighed, looked at the m/w sitting next to her, and said 'can't you have her....' I told her I'm not that bad and that it's a good idea I'm not easily upset - less confident student would have felt crushed.

Never mind the student/mentor thing, as one human being speaking to another, I just found that bloody rude.

Call me a softie, but this would've crushed me! (confident or not!)Though I have had these sorts of comments many times now!

It simply is NOT good enough

Noo · #9 (**permalink**) 08-Mar-2008, 07:13

God, my worst nightmare is to be on placement.. hear something like this and actually cry!!!!

smwife · #10 (**permalink**) 08-Mar-2008, 07:44

Originally Posted by LittleNoo

God, my worst nightmare is to be on placement.. hear something like this and actually cry!!!!

I have been made to cry once, though to be fair I have had alot of heartache recently, and am more fragile than normal.

I would say generally I am a toughie, and don't do public emotion. But trust me, at times it grinds you down.

Some of the midwives can be exceptionally cruel, I would say brace yourself. I hope you don't have any bother littlenoo, but it seems these attitudes occur everywhere.

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attitudes to students

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