Getting a job and growing in confidence: The dual experience of newly qualified midwives prepared by the pre-registration route

Pre-registration midwifery education prepares as midwives those who are not already qualified as nurses. It replaces and develops the 'direct entry' system and links midwifery to higher education through joint validation and award. This report covers the early experiences of the first group of midwives who qualified by this route and explores their views about their courses, their professional work relationships and experiences in practice. Findings suggest that hostility to them as a group because of their preparation route to become midwives is replaced by an acceptance of their role in developing the professional ideology and hegemony. In practice, most are confident with clients although there is some evidence that they need greater experience and support in working with sick neonates. The respondents suggest improved attention to the issue of shared learning and experiences, especially as these concern experiences in non-midwifery nursing areas.