From student to midwife: the experiences of newly graduated midwives working in an innovative model of midwifery care

In 2001, a new model of midwifery care was established in the Birth Centre at St George Hospital, a metropolitan hospital in NSW. The new model was designed to encompass the principles and recommendations from numerous government reports and research. The model also build on the previous successful implementation of a team midwifery program (Homer et al 2001b; Homer et al 2001a). Four newly graduated midwives, together with four more experienced midwives were employed to work in the models of midwifery care. This small study evaluates the first 10 months' using qualitative and quantitative data. As this is a small study, no firm conclusion can be reached. The results of the evaluation however demonstrated that with appropriate support and mentoring, newly graduated midwives can work in an innovative model of midwifery care within a birth centre environment.