FAQs – Midwives
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Q. How old is the student?
A. We have students of a variety of ages in each year, from school leavers through to women in their forties.
Q. Has the student done nursing?
A. Students come from a wide variety of backgrounds, most do not have a nursing qualification, and don’t have a history as a health professional, but many bring previous career experiences, and they bring a range of life and clinical experiences with them.
Q. What previous experience does the student have?
A. Students come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and bring a variety of life and clinical experiences to the placement. Students within each level of the course vary in clinical experience, ie not all second year students will have had the same experiences. Polytech staff will discuss the individual student’s learning needs with you prior to any placement. Ongoing support and communication is provided by the Polytech.
Q. What support can I expect from Polytech staff?
A. Staff will:
- provide information on the course expectations, requirements and assessments
- support you with the assessment process, so you know what is required
- maintain contact with you regularly throughout the placement
- respond to any communication from you regarding the student promptly
- support you in providing effective feedback to students
- debrief with you at the end of the placement.
Q. Do you offer any education or preparation for the role of preceptor midwife?
A. You can complete the online preceptorship course available on this website. Currently the course links to a generic Canadian programme, which is easy to use, very practical and has some really good tips and strategies for working with students. A New Zealand midwifery focused course will be developed during 2009. Keep a watch for developments here.
Q. What is the student expecting from the placement?
A. Students expect exposure to midwifery practice and feedback. Practice may involve hands-on care, but much can be learned in the clinical context even when a woman declines the student hands-on care. Students will expect varying involvement in the care, depending on the level they are in their programme. It is a good idea to discuss the type of experiences you may be able to offer any student with the Polytech staff, in the first instance, and also with the student. Feel free to ask the student this question.
Q. What do I get from working with a student?
A. We hope that you will get the satisfaction which comes from supporting the education of new midwives, and seeing them learn and gain confidence. Most midwives find it rewarding, and most women enjoy the teaching they witness the midwife doing when a student is present.
The financial recompense is limited: you do not get paid for having a first year student (the course is focused on the student understanding the woman’s experience and she will have very limited hands-on). Payment for working with second year students currently varies between the Polytechnics. Otago provides a small honorarium per follow through and CPIT is currently exploring a similar model. Self employed midwives are paid a small honorarium of $80 per week (This figure may be subject to change.) for the supervision and teaching of third year students, while payments are made directly to DHBs for the teaching and supervision provided by employed midwives. Contracts between individual midwives and the relevant institutions must be agreed and signed before any honorariums can be paid. You are able to elect to allocate points as ‘professional activities’ for Midwifery Council Recertification, and your Midwifery Standards Review.
You will have access to the student’s online learning resources when you accept a student, allowing you to see what they are being taught, and potentially facilitate the updating of your knowledge base.
You will also have access to the preceptorship course being developed on this website, and to the information on digital literacy.
In time, there will also be resources about cultural competence. Through this website you will be able to 'talk' with other preceptoring midwives about their preceptorship experiences, or anything you like, in a 'closed' discussion forum. We hope this website can become a mechanism for communication and support between midwives.
