References

Midwife: accreditation standards 2014. Canberra. 2014;

Ball L, Curtis P, Kirkham M Why do midwives leave? University of Sheffield. 2002;

Begley CM ‘Knowing your place’: student midwives' views of relationships in midwifery in Ireland. Midwifery. 2001; 17:222-233 https://doi.org/10.1054/midw.2001.0262

Best G First year university students and their parents: conjoint experiences of university.: Victoria University; 2002

Boyle M, McKenna L Paramedic and midwifery student exposure to workplace violence during clinical placements in Australia – a pilot study. International Journal of Medical Education. 2016; 7

Boyle M, Wallis J Working towards a definition for workplace violence actions in the health sector. Safety in Health. 2016; 2 https://doi.org/10.1186/s40886-016-0015-8

Braun V, Clarke V Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology. 2006; 3:(2)77-101

Brunstad A, Hjälmhult E Midwifery students learning experiences in labor wards: a grounded theory. Nurse Education Today. 2014; 34:(12)1474-1479 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2014.04.017

Carolan M The good midwife: commencing students' views. Midwifery. 2011; 27:503-508 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2010.03.012

Catling CJ, Reid F, Hunter B Australian midwives' experiences of their workplace culture. Women and Birth. 2017; 30:(2)137-145 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2016.10.001

Chang YS, Coxon K, Portela AG, Furuta M, Bick D Interventions to support effective communication between maternity care staff and women in labour: a mixed-methods systematic review. Midwifery. 2018; 59:4-16 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2017.12.014

Fenwick J, Cullen D, Gamble J Sidebotham M. Being a young midwifery student: a qualitative exploration. Midwifery. 2016; 39:27-34 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2016.04.010

Geraghty S, Speelman C Bayes S. Fighting a losing battle: midwives experiences of workplace stress. Women and Birth. 2019; 32:e297-e306 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2018.07.012

Gillen P, Sinclair M, Kernohan G A concept analysis of bullying in midwifery. Evidence-based Midwifery. 2004; 2:46-52

Gillen P, Sinclair M, Kernohan GW The nature and manifestations of bullying in midwifery.UK: University of Ulster Coleraine; 2008

Gillen P, Sinclair M, Kernohan GW, Begley C Student midwives' experience of bullying. Evidence-based Midwifery. 2009; 7:(2)46-53

Hastie C Dying for the cause. Australian College of Midwives Incorporated Journal. 1996; 9:(1)28-30 https://doi.org/10.1016/S1031-170X(96)80010-9

Hirschman AO Exit, voice, and loyalty: responses to decline in firms, organizations, and states.: Harvard University Press; 1970

Hodson R, Roscigno VJ, Lopez SH Chaos and the abuse of power: workplace bullying in organizational and interactional context. Work and Occupations. 2006; 33:382-416 https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0730888406292885

Hutchinson M, Vickers MH, Jackson D, Wilkes L Bullying as circuits of power: an Australian nursing perspective. Administrative Theory and Praxis. 2010; 32:25-47 https://doi.org/10.2753/ATP1084-1806320102

Jóhannsdóttir HL, Ólafsson RF Coping with bullying in the workplace: the effect of gender, age and type of bullying. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling. 2004; 32:(3)319-333 https://doi.org/10.1080/03069880410001723549

Leap N Making sense of ‘horizontal violence’ in midwifery. British Journal of Midwifery. 1997; 5:689-689 https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.1997.5.11.689

Mckenna L, Boyle M Midwifery student exposure to workplace violence in clinical settings: an exploratory study. Nurse Education in Practice. 2016; 17:123-127 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2015.11.004

Standards for pre-registration midwifery programmes.London2019

Shapiro J, Boyle MJ, McKenna L Midwifery student reactions to workplace violence. Women and Birth. 2017; 31:(1)e67-e71 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2017.06.020

Being bullied as a midwifery student: does age matter?

02 March 2020
Research
02 March 2020
Volume 28 · Issue 3

Abstract

Clinical placement is a compulsory component of midwifery education and a time when some midwifery students become targets of workplace bullying. An anonymous, online qualitative survey was used to collect data from two contrasting groups of purposively recruited UK and Australian midwifery students that responded to a call for experiences of bullying while on clinical placement. Participants in group were either aged between 18–21 years (n=20) or over 43 years of age (n=20). The data collected from each group was thematically analysed and compared. While younger midwifery students have an additional power disadvantage compared to their older counterparts, the pattern of bullying experience between the two groups was remarkably similar. Younger students however, experience more verbal and overt forms, and are more likely to respond passively to the experience. Results are discussed in terms of impact on individual welfare and the viability of the profession.

The increased numbers of older students undertaking midwifery education (Carolan, 2011) adds an interesting dimension to the issue of bullying on clinical placement. With research on bullying still heavily focussed upon teenagers, this study examines the role of age in altering the bullying experience. Regardless of age, the risk of bullying is thought to be closely related to power differentials (Hodson et al, 2006), with age a potential avenue of power leverage.

The term ‘bullying’ tends to be limited to repeated unwanted behaviour from another that is malicious, abusive and intimidating in nature (Gillen et al, 2004). However, a single incident can be ‘enough’ to trigger lasting adverse consequences with a recent study suggesting this is particularly true in a healthcare student context (Boyle and Wallis, 2016).

Students enrolled in pre-registration midwifery programmes in Australia and the UK are required to undertake clinical placement in order to develop, and evidence the skills and knowledge required to gain professional registration as midwives (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council [ANMAC], 2014; Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2019). Several studies report that this gateway to the profession is tainted with bullying experiences (Gillen et al, 2008; 2009; McKenna and Boyle, 2016). Bullying has been linked to attrition from the profession, short- and long-term physical and mental illness, and even suicide (Hastie, 1996; Ball et al, 2002; Gillen et al, 2008).

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting British Journal of Midwifery and reading some of our peer-reviewed resources for midwives. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Limited access to our clinical or professional articles

  • New content and clinical newsletter updates each month

Register
Or continue by

Signing in with your registered email address

Bullying
Midwifery students
Harassment
Power
Clinical placement