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Etiquette Placement Suggestions for Student Midwives from an RM

Discussion in 'Clinical Placements & Electives' started by iolaus, Sep 6, 2011.

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runninggirl Member

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Thank you Mkunga, that's really helpful.

runninggirl, Feb 22, 2012

#71
Green Goddess Member

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Mkunga said: ↑

That is so true Hoping.

As a newly qualified midwife, I came across a few eye-rolling, superior, rank obsessed witches. You soon get to know who is worth getting to know and requesting help from.

A few points I'd like to add to this as an RM are:

Don't be afraid to introduce yourself. A friendly "Hello, I'm Blahdyface and I'm a first year STMW" goes a long way - even when talking to consultants.

Don't be intimidated by higher ranking staff, including doctors. This links in with the point above - if you've made it clear where you are in your training, they are less likely to expect you to be at "amost qualified" standards.

Do ask if you can observe or assist at any opportunity of doing/seeing something new, and don't be afraid to ask questions - even if it's something like observing the doctor's ward round, shadowing the physio etc.

On the above point, so try to work with a maternity support worker for a shift - they are incredibly busy people and really are the foundation on which we midwives rest our practice. The MSW's at my place are incredible, and I don't think they get the recognition they deserve from the more senior staff members.

If your unit has a breastfeeding advisor, spend a day or two with them - you'll learn a heck of a lot!

Registrars and consultants often like to teach, so if you have any questions, ask them! I've learned a lot from our registrars, purely because I'm not afraid to ask questions, even now as an RM.

Make tea! On a busy shift, if you find yourself at a loose end, a pot of tea for those who are busy at that time can be a godsend.

Definitely answer the phone! It is scary, but a politely worded "Hello, maternity unit, student midwife speaking..." will inform the caller that they've called the right place and that you may not be able to deal with the query, but can find someone who can.

Don't be afraid to take triage calls - again, even if it's to take some basic information, then find a midwife who can take the rest of the call.

If you're particularly worried about doing something in practice, ask for support when doing it, ask for your mentor to talk you through the procedure. The longer you put things off, the more daunting they feel, so be brave, get the support you need and you'll soon wonder why you were so worried about it.

Relating to the above point, if you're working on a shift which is quiet, ask a midwife to go through some skills drills - even things like neonatal resuscitation, waterbirth, venepuncture, suturing can be discussed or practiced while on shift.

Don't run away from the emergency bell!! Even if you stand in the corner and don't participate, it's really important to observe what's being done. This will make you feel more competent and in control when it's you pulling that emergency bell!

Don't be afraid to pull the emergency bell either - it's best to be overly cautious and have the people you need with you than face possible disaster alone.

Do build a rapport with the women you care for. It's really hard with a mentor in the room with you, but it'll mean a lot to the women you're caring for. But try not to be overly-familiar, or talk over your mentor.

Don't be afraid of being quiet and not doing anything... Sometimes all a woman in labour needs is a bit of quiet and to not be touched/poked/prodded. I think most people find it hard to be in a silent room and not feel the need to fill the silence with chit-chat. You don't need to, and you'll soon become really comfortable not saying anything. I'm actually quite good at whiling away time just sat quietly in a corner, observing.

I can't think of any more to add.

Mkunga you're fab :> x

Green Goddess, Feb 22, 2012

#72
Sapphire Member

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Squamoid said: ↑

I totally agree with this. Most of the MW/SMWs on my ward are smashing but there are the occasional 1 or 2 who see volunteers as beneath them (it actually tends to be the students more!! :-$). I, too, make sure that I'm polite, friendly and helpful no matter what.

Having said that, I do have a fab recipe for chocolate brownies which definitely helps relations on the ward.

I have trouble being really helpful to volunteers because I don't know what you're all there to do! It's a bit awkward, I try to be friendly and chitchat a bit but I never know what to do when I see them hanging around not doing anything because I don't know their role and what I can and can't suggest they do to help. I probably look like I'm being rude by just walking past!

Sapphire, Feb 22, 2012

#73
Lil Miss Sunshine Welfare Moderator

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why don't you ask them what it is they're volunteering for and would they like to help you do this/that if it's appropriate... they'd probably jump at the chance

Lil Miss Sunshine, Feb 22, 2012

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Iris Crazy person

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It's not that easy lms, when you're new to an area you don't always lnow what you can and can't do and volunteers are really limited in what they are allowed to do so you could get yourself and them in trouble by something as simple as asking them to help change a bed.

All you have to do though is smile and say hello, I do this to everyone, especially if they look nervous or are sitting alone in the staffroom (lord knows you know what that is like as a student) so I smile and ask them how they are doing, or if I am busy I just smile. I am a firm believer that a smile goes a long way.

Iris, Feb 22, 2012

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jellybeans Active Member

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I find sometimes volunteers want to do more hands on or exciting stuff, so when they say can I help, and the only suggestion is discharge envelopes, it can be a bit boring!

jellybeans, Feb 22, 2012

#76
Lil Miss Sunshine Welfare Moderator

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I thought if someone was volunteering they'd be allowed to help out with making beds.. i'd have thought that would be a huge help once they got the hang of how to do it properly.

Lil Miss Sunshine, Feb 22, 2012

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Iris Crazy person

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jellybeans said: ↑

I find sometimes volunteers want to do more hands on or exciting stuff, so when they say can I help, and the only suggestion is discharge envelopes, it can be a bit boring!

It's boring when as a student you get the same response too but they do have to be done and I've spent loads of time making up various info packs, from discharge packs to booking packs. It can't all be exciting and hands on and sadly volunteers in most trust are not allowed to do anything hands on. It is not a students role to make things exciting for the volunteers, we have our own trouble finding our own feet in the clinical area half the time.

Iris, Feb 22, 2012

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Iris Crazy person

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Lil Miss Sunshine said: ↑

I thought if someone was volunteering they'd be allowed to help out with making beds.. i'd have thought that would be a huge help once they got the hang of how to do it properly.

You'd think but trust protocols can be bizarre :/

Iris, Feb 22, 2012

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Sapphire Member

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Exactly Iris, I know people who have got into trouble for allowing volunteers to do things they weren't meant to. And I have to say (and obviously this doesn't go for everybody) that it was the volunteers that told the midwives that they were allowed to do things they in fact weren't. So I just keep my mouth shut! I do smile though, I grin at everyone on the ward, they probably think I'm a bit odd.

Sapphire, Feb 23, 2012

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