Difficulties experienced by midwifery students during midwifery practice, and the components of student resilience

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to clarify the experiences that students found difficult during midwifery practice, as well as the components of the students' resilience.

Methods

Midwifery students who were currently enrolled in a university's graduate program and had already acquired credits for midwifery practice were chosen as participants. A semi-structured interview was conducted by using an interview guide, and a verbatim transcript was created from the data obtained and analyzed qualitatively. The study was conducted with the approval of the Research Ethics Committee of Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences (approval number: 810).

Results

The research participants totaled 12 students. Three core categories were extracted as experiences that students found difficult during their midwifery practice: anxiety and fear due to immaturity; negative responses from those who want to be supportive; and difficulty in adjusting to practical training with responsibilities that last day and night. In addition, six core categories were extracted as components of student resilience in midwifery practice: emotional regulation; recognition of the presence of supporters; building relationships; improving knowledge and skills; changing mood; and developing a vision of the midwife they wanted to become.

Conclusion

Although the students experienced various difficulties during their midwifery practice, they adapted to the practice by using multiple resilience factors and were able to overcome difficult situations. Instructors and teachers need to have a relationship with students and to implement educational considerations that allow the components of resilience to work effectively.