It's hard coping with all the politicky stuff as a student - you have to strike a balance between fighting for your rights (things like adequate breaks and mealtimes, time with your mentor to do paperwork and general feedback type things) and wanting to be accepted and being seen as conscientious and hardworking and fitting in.

I do feel that a big part of a mentor's job is looking after the welfare of the student, not just the training aspects - stuff like making sure that the student has a break, and making sure she goes home if she looks unwell, no matter how busy it is or what's going on, and always making sure she feels supported. Making sure your student has a break in a 12 hour shift should be no big deal, regardless of what is happening regarding breaks for the paid staff, as the mentor has the luxury of having the student's help for the rest of the shift. Ditto paperwork - I feel that there is really no excuse for telling a student that you can't spare ten minutes to go through her paperwork when she has worked her fingers to the bone for the last 10-11 hours. I also feel there's nothing wrong with sending the student to the library for part of her shift if something interesting has happened and she wants to look it up or write a reflection, and there is nothing going on that she could be learning from in the clinical area - there are lots of different types of learning.

I think that mentorship is a two way street, there are pluses to be had for both parties with a bit of give and take and consideration. And I make tea sometimes as well!

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Love Dory xxx
Just keep swimmin', just keep swimmin'....

Have you just been offered a place? If so and you want a mentor please post in post this forum (also post here if you would like a mentee)

Will you consider being my mentor please Dory????

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

Please help us raise funds for a bereavement room in Honey's memory by taking part in the SMNET Auction & Raffle here thanks x

I am a qualified sign off mentor, but they are not giving me students at the minute as I work nights. May also be something to do with me being a tad opinionated at times as well....

I just think it's outrageous - as a student you expect to work, as how else are you going to learn the reality of the job. But you should not expect to be treated like a skivvy - I've known students be sent to make tea or clean rooms when there is something going on that could be valuable learning opportunities for them, such as observing an ecv, or taking blood, or helping put a woman pregnant with triplets on the monitor. I don't think that students shouldn't be expected to do the more mundane things - when you're cleaning and stocking rooms you're learning about where things are kept, and students should know how to make a bed properly and wash a woman who's had a section etc etc, but there is a difference between doing it as part of participating in providing care, and being taken advantage of.

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Love Dory xxx
Just keep swimmin', just keep swimmin'....

Have you just been offered a place? If so and you want a mentor please post in post this forum (also post here if you would like a mentee)

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Coffeebean xx



Prospective Students Manager



Please help us raise funds for a bereavement room in Honey's memory by taking part in the SMNET Auction & Raffle here thanks x

I thought students were expected to do nights along with their mentor? or is that only on odd occasions?

I can make tea, toast, and beds with the best of them, and I am quite happy to do that. As I have seen midwives do when I was on the ward, fair play to them as it has usually been when the ward has been mad busy at the time.

I actually enjoyed helping to wash a woman after a section as it felt good to help her feel more comfortable, as if I was doing something useful.

I agree that the mundane stuff should be mixed in with learning the more complex and involved stuff, it is all part and parcel of being a student as I see it.

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

Please help us raise funds for a bereavement room in Honey's memory by taking part in the SMNET Auction & Raffle here thanks x

We are given the option of working nights and long days but are encouraged to do so, it makes sense as we'll be doing them soon enough plus you get a whole plethora of experience by working nights and long days

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J
StudentMidwife.NET Founder & Director

"You're braver than you believe. Stronger than you seem. And smarter than you think."
Christopher Robin in Pooh's Grand Adventure

Please help us raise funds for a bereavement room in Honey's memory by taking part in the SMNET Auction & Raffle here thanks x

I did nights for the first time on my last delivery suite placement, and I really enjoyed it. Although the unit was really busy, the atmosphere was more relaxed.

This helped me to relax and learn more I feel due to the fact my mentor could spend more time explaining things to me, this wouldn't have been as easy on an early or late shift when there are doctors, visitors, phones and the door to answer constantly.

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

Please help us raise funds for a bereavement room in Honey's memory by taking part in the SMNET Auction & Raffle here thanks x

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Second year!
"Don't wonder why people go crazy, wonder how they don't......"

Dory I want you to me my mentor please!!!!!!!!!!

I can be very opinionated too so wont hold it against u if u let something slip out! lol

Personally, I think its terrible when people who are training in ANY profession are used as dogs bodies to fill the gap where funds dont allow enough lower graded staff. If i wanted to be a care assistant, i would apply to be one - before any one thinks im a nasty cow, i think HCA's do a fantastic job and have much respect for them but if more HCA assistance is needed, there should be funding to provide it. By utilising students in this way, you are limiting their time spent on learning things they might not see again during their training and the next time they do see it they are expected to know all about it! (the triplet example is a prime example - im sure there are students who dont see twins let alone triplets or more!)

Hmm...i thought toast and rich tea biscuits were the midwives staple diet, no?
Joking aside...nope, just grab the toast and bickies when making the parents their after baby snack!
Have never had time to chill out and have a meal as such!!!
Besides a box of Roses or Quality Street tastes so much better at 2 in the morning!

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Student Midwife, year one and counting.