New Year is a man-made concept, but nonetheless it is important as a way of marking progress through time, as well as enabling the celebration of birthdays and anniversaries. January sees the start of the calendar year and April the financial one; however, I think that for many of us, September (and the start of October) marks a more significant change.
September marks the start of the new school year, but for many of our students, it is the start of the midwifery journey. In the weeks afterward, it will also be time for those newly qualified midwives to take their first independent steps. What a period of hope and expectation.
As the new intake of students embark on their journey to become a midwife, the way ahead may seem like an insurmountable climb but, in no time at all, each student will be well on their way to the summit and seeing the horizons ahead. Then each September, students will change status to second and third years, each with its own increasing expectations.
If you are a student, enjoy the experience and think about keeping a diary of your experiences (but remember not to include any identifiable information about those you have cared for). You will no doubt have lots of questions, but before long, you will also have answers and experiences to share with your fellow students and others; these support networks must be nurtured to keep them strong. Never pass up a learning opportunity.
Students, don't forget that your teachers, clinical supervisors and mentors are there for you, to guide you, to support you and to help you find solutions. They have time for you and can often help you resolve concerns at an early stage. Things that seemed huge at the time will fade in importance as you progress, but will stay with you as markers on your journey.
September marks the start of the new school year, but for many of our students, it is the start of the midwifery journey
Thinking of those who are about to qualify, we must remember that while they will be excited to begin their professional career, they will also be apprehensive about what lies ahead, whether that means needing to make decisions and accept responsibility, facing new challenges or conquering new skills. Newly qualified midwives must remember that they are not alone: not only do they have a named preceptor, but each and every midwife has been there before and is willing to help. New midwives are not expected to know everything; indeed, it is very important for them to be aware of the boundaries to their knowledge and skills. Anyone who has passed their driving test will recall how scary it is to drive alone for the first time, needing to navigate, to assess road conditions and anticipate the actions of other road users and pedestrians, as well as managing the mechanics of driving. For new midwives, although they are not alone, it is still challenging and scary. They will only learn by gaining a wide range of experiences and talking about them with others, by asking questions, and by reflecting on care they have given and decisions they have made.
It is important to remember that as midwives, we never stop learning. Every day we should reflect on the care we have given and the decisions we have made. What did we miss? How could things have been different? What have we learned? However long we have been in practice, we must be open to challenge, to new ideas and to appreciating that the diversity of the women and families we care for means that we will always be surprised from time to time. We should never be afraid of acknowledging this.