Mentor problems

not totallly sure where to post this, but here i am please move it to the relevant area.

But i'm finding my community placement really difficult at the moment.

I think its the following things :

• Mentor contacting tutor about my unwillness to complete, EU requirements (was waiting till i was into know what was expected of me, by uni first only 4th week in) (system recently changed)
• Mentor not telling me this and me hearing it second hand
• Since this point i often have two midwifes WATCH my every move.
• second midwive - telling me of for forgetting one thing during booking (first time i've done one alone) never told me what i could do to improve for next time, justpointed out everything i did wrong, (went home crying) - mentor NEVER said a word or gave an insight to my work previously infact i have had NO feedback

Of course since this i've been questioning my place in university and in the course.

but this week i have had two other midwifes as my mentor is of and the following has happend:

• first day i spent with the supervisior of midwives, and she was amazing, asked me loads of questions, did a mock scean where i was explianing down sydrome testing to a mum who hadn't read the relevant leaflet, after this she give me loads of feed back what i could improve on and how to word things so people like this understand
• then I went out with different midwive - who taught me the different poles and how they variey (was on labour ward b4 this, haven't done antenatal before now)
• what length of time we listen to fetal heart from- the ranges and what changes to expect and the various sounds - wushing, clicking.

now i have been with mentor for 4/5wks and thinking why hasnt sh taught me anything like this as surely i need basics like this first? she just lets me do things without really explaing what where feeling or why were doing what where doing.

Of course i ask questions, loads. But i just wonder why she isn't giving me this basic knowledge too!

i do what ever is asked when there is no jobs (not often) i make tea (they love tea)

I haven't had a problem with anybody else i've worked with just this two first midwives. All others supportive, explain and ask me if i understand.

I dread placement, often she just lets me just sit there i have only been able to count one lady for the EU requirements (once i new the new set up). i just hate it, i have another 5 wks too

have you spoken to your tutor about it? or maybe have a word with another midwife who you get on with? Im so sorry its happening to you big hugs xxx

Im really sorry your having troubles with your mentor. I would defiantly recommend speaking to your personal tutor. Hope things get better!!

all but one of the other midwives have students(but some are still on hoilday after christmas). Not sure about the other team in the same building.

I have been into uni and talked to my tutor (the one my mentor talked to about my EU requirements) a few days after I was informed of any problems
She told me to ask my mentor to do more like i said before i always offer and i've never refused to do anything dont no what more to do/say, i feel i am unable more as like i say there is two of them on my back, therefore if i upset one i upset both, possibly risking my placement compleation
She also said i need to get my link lecturer in too discuss the problems - arranged (wednesday 11th)

I have given her my learning contract and the only thing i add to the ones we have to learn this year i added i wanted to take blood (like i said,never been on anywhere to do this) this hasn't still been undertaken (were not allowed to arrange it as uni told us mentors have to do it). so she already has this.

The problem i have is the tutor i have coming to visit me on weds, is that my mentor will be there so how can i raise my issues and concerns with her there, as i will have to work with my mentor for the rest of that day/week.

i really at a loss and i dont feel comfortable working with my mentor, i have felt that way since i learnt that she complained about my learning skills to my tutor(who is also head of my year!).

Maybe it would be best to raise these concerns with your mentor when your tutor is there...thaat way there is always a witness...It may be the best way to clear things up. At least then if the mentor contradicts the tutor you wont be bouncing back and forth....you may find that your tutor will back you up...the mentor may even back down a bit as there would be a witness....I wish you luck hun, it must be a horrible situation to be in..xxx

just to update, i passed my placement but due to low scores in certain area i have to do an addisional placement. :/

My mentor knew i haven't learnt anything from her and basically told the tutor i didn't want to go back again

If youve passed surely you dont need to do another one to make up for this one? I know I had really big problems with my community mentor in the first year and we ended up sorting things out as we both had issues with each other (rightly or wrongly so) so we spoke to each other about them and tried to overcome them.

I still passed placement but with one of the lowest marks in my year! To actually pass the placement we had to have all our competancies checked off and I had this just a low mark. I dont have to redo a placement but we do have an additional placement in community in the 3rd year. xx

I know how awful it is going into placement wondering whats going to happen that day or whats going to be said etc so huge HUGS for that but just remember this is ONE Mentor and the second midwife is a close working collegue of hers so will not side with you over her but you have experience which isnt negative with other mentors. Hold onto that experience and not the negative experience or you will always doubt yourself and it will come across in your future practice xxxx

Hope this helps x

i beleive is due to the fact i have 3 7's on my competancies checklist and this is what the guidlines for the marking says
Please note if any of the marks awarded are in the 0-7 (Fail/unsafe) category on the marking grid the student fails the placement assessment.

the reason i have passed is because i scored highly on other things and completed my breasffeeding skills cluster (bumping up my score).

i have asked for a meeting with both my personal tutor (who hapens to be head of my year) and link lectuerer (who happens to be head of midwifery!)