RESUMEN
Background: Regardless of educational pathway, the transition from student to the registered midwife is a topic of increasing interest within the profession as this is likely to have implications for retention and attrition. Newly qualified midwives have reported that the reality of putting knowledge into practice in the midwifery field is often challenging and stressful. Aim: To explore and describe the experiences of newly qualified midwives with regard to the provision of midwifery services during transition from students to qualified midwives, in the Limpopo province, South Africa. Setting: The study was conducted in the maternity units of each of the five selected public hospitals in the Limpopo province. Methods: The researcher employed a qualitative approach with explorative and descriptive design. The population comprised all midwifery graduates working in the Limpopo province and have undergone a comprehensive nursing programme regulated by R425 of 19 February 1985, as amended. Five newly qualified midwifery graduates were sampled from each of the five selected hospital, using a non-probability purposive sampling method, resulting in a sample size of 25 participants. Data collection was carried out through unstructured individual interviews and was conducted until participants were no longer bringing new information. Results: Graduates reported excessive workload, which resulted in physical exhaustion. Challenges related to the roles and responsibilities of a new position as a qualified midwife were expressed. Negative collegial relationship displayed by experienced qualified midwives, negatively affected graduates' midwifery performance. Conclusion: Effective, transition from student to qualified midwife is a stressful and exhausting process because of unfavourable working conditions in the labour ward, administrative roles as well as negative collegial relationship and disrespect displayed by experienced midwives. Contribution: Strategies to effectively support newly qualified midwives may be developed, which may consequently help in improving newly qualified midwives' performance.
RESUMEN
Transition from midwifery training to professional practice is enhanced by positive support from experienced colleagues. The study explored experiences of newly qualified midwives regarding existence of supportive relationship during transition. The setting was a maternity unit of a selected hospital from each of the five districts of Limpopo province. Population was all midwives who completed a comprehensive nursing programme (R425 of 19 February 1985, as amended); and qualified as nurses (general, psychiatric and community) and midwives working in selected hospitals. Twenty-five participants selected from maternity units of the five selected hospitals using non-probability, purposive sampling method. In-depth individual interviews conducted until saturation was reached. Data analysed through Tesch's method. Ethical issues considered. Findings revealed negative unsupportive relationship experienced by participants resulting in poor performance. Graduates expressed dislike experienced from senior colleagues. Establishment and maintenance of positive relationship between experienced and newly qualified midwives should be enhanced to promote effective transition.
RESUMEN
Background: Inadequate neonatal facilities in rural areas is one of the challenges affecting the management of preterm infants. In low income countries with limited resources, over 90% of preterm babies die within few days of life. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the challenges encountered by midwives when providing care to preterm infants at resource limited health facilities in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methods: Qualitative research approach, using exploratory and descriptive design was used. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to select twenty three midwives who had an experience of two or more years in maternity. Data was collected using unstructured individual interviews, which were voice recorded and transcribed and data analysed qualitatively through the open-coding method. Findings: Revealed one theme, preterm condition and expected care; with sub-themes namely; perceived causes of preterm complications and deaths, preterm babies experience several difficulties which need specialised care, the need for constant individualised care and monitoring of preterm infants by midwives, functional relevant equipment needed for care of preterm infants, a need for constant training for midwives regarding care of preterm infants, and importance for a proper structure to house preterm infants which will lead to quality care provision. Conclusion: Preterm babies need simple essential care such as warmth, feeding support, safe oxygen use and prevention of infection. Lack of adequate resources and limited skills from midwives could contribute to morbidity and mortality. Health facility managers need to create opportunities for basic and advanced preterm care to equip the skills of midwives by sending them to special trainings such as Limpopo Initiative Neonatal Care (LINC), Helping Baby Breath (HHB) and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Operational managers should be involved in the identification, procurement and supply of required equipment. Continuous health education should be provided on the mothers about kangaroo mother care (KMC) and measures to prevent infections in the neonatal unit.
