Reflection on Developing Future Goals and Skills

Description:
Most recently my cohort have been back in our theory block, planning our final assignment on critically analysing a research piece. For my degree in Midwifery we do not do a research piece ourselves for a 'dissertation' but analyse a current piece of research to establish a mind to read evidence based research to establish ourselves whether all research has a place influencing midwifery.
I've noticed in class I'm starting to speak up more, volunteer and assist other students with studies or problems. One class we were asked to write down our perfect shift three years from now and I could see myself teaching. Not in class but in a placement setting.

Feelings:
Of course I know in my future I will have mentor roles but it made me realise how much I enjoy supporting and discussing midwifery and new evidence based practice or guidelines with my class. I didn't realise that I would be so keen on the theory base as my heart really is in practical placements and the job performance itself, but I am starting to see part of me that cannot wait to mentor student midwives. This was the basis for my twitter and blog and most recently I have been feeling uncertain about the future of my blog and social media presence but getting encouragement from my lecturers and cohort have really boosted my communication skills and confidence.

Evaluation and Analysis:
Whats good about this is having a focus, an ability to write goals for my future and the next three years, the next year even. Building my confidence to speak openly about being unsure about evidence, skills or decision making will put me in good stead for becoming a newly qualified midwife in 5 months time (!). But I also worry about getting too headstrong, saying yes to too many things and then reducing my communication and confidence due to other loud voices in the room. Criticism I often take to heart.

Conclusion:
I think I need to trust myself more and say yes, okay to the few more smaller opportunities I have to develop my skills and put my voice out into the midwifery community, no matter how scary and big it can seem sometimes.

Action plan:
Write my goals for the next year down. Yes it seems simple but if I reflect back on this image of me teaching students I need to know how to get there are not be surprised which way my midwifery career will go. I have lots of big ideas in my head but I think it's important I focus on the attainable ones just now.



Perhaps I'll do a blog post on those goals to help other Students and NQM write some, would that be something my readers would be interested in?


Ruth x
twitter: @ruth_stmw