Newly qualified nerves and Preceptorship planning

Newly Qualified Midwife Bowler.
I have just today finished my makeup time shifts before registering as a Midwife with the NMC.
I am over the moon as I have worked extremely hard putting in extra curricular effort and personal study to become a midwife over the last three years, but now the realisation hits me and wow, now what?!

I have had a million and one questions in my head recently about my upcoming role as a rotational midwife. Questions mainly surrounding preceptorship and how I will be supported as a newly qualified midwives.

It was highlighted in both the England and Scotland State of Maternity Services Reports by the Royal College of Midwives released on 12/09/18 that for the number of midwives leaving the profession there are not enough newly qualified midwives being employed. An ageing but skilled workforce are leaving and the staffing deficit still remains at around 3500 across UK.

So what does that mean for us newly qualified midwives?
The transition from third year student to newly qualified occurs over a few weeks and although we are signed off as proficient, working independently in a demanding service can be difficult to those trusts already having issues with burnout and staff retention.

A way to help with this has been developed by two different trusts.
Greater Glasgow and Clyde offer a 'purple watch' support system for newly qualified staff. NQM wear the purple fob watch and place a purple magnet next to the woman in their care so other members of staff can identify the NQM and are aware they may require further support during the shift. The NQM can stop wearing the watch once they feel more competent.

I love this idea as it identifies the NQM without the presumption they may need support, but allows team to structure support needed amongst them during the shift.

(Source: Elizabeth Barilli Twitter)

The other system was implemented for all new staff undertaking preceptorship at a South West England Hospital who were given a badge to identify they were undertaking their preceptorship year.


(Source: Nursing Times Twitter)

With many staff reporting unsupportive work environments, bullying in the work place, staff shortages and morale issues - implementing a support system from the beginning of people's career may help to build a different workplace culture and hopefully better working environment helping to retain staff withing maternity services.

As I enter my preceptorship year I'm looking to see if my trust can implement a similar system for NQM, and I will also bring this support system into my skills I hope to use as a future mentor to new student midwives.

How does your trust support newly qualified midwives in their preceptorship year?
Let me know in the comments below.

Ruth x

PS - My twitter handle will be changing soon as I am no longer a student! Keep your eyes peeled here and on my Instagram @sagefeminist_