Returning to practice: a personal vision
After an 11-year career break from midwifery, Mary Morse successfully completed an RCM return-to-practice programme this year. Although she felt prepared for the challenge, she has been surprised and encouraged by some of the changes within the industry.
Midwives magazine: Issue 5 :: 2011
In April 2011 I received some good news – I had successfully completed my RCM return-to-practice (RTP) programme. My journey began in June 2010 when I attended a return to midwifery practice programme organised by the RCM and London South Bank University.
After graduating in 1981 and beginning my nursing and midwifery career in Dublin, I worked as a volunteer nurse/midwife in West Africa. I then returned to the UK, working as an NHS midwife for 15 years. I took a career break in 1999 to devote time to raising my two children, but I had always intended to return to midwifery.
I was delighted to get a clinical placement at West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust’s Queen Mary Maternity Unit (QMMU) in Isleworth. But I knew I had been away for 11 years in a rapidly changing field and expected RTP to be a challenge.
There were three factors that helped me. Firstly, during my career break I kept learning new skills including an academic development programme, a City & Guilds adult teaching certificate and a diploma in reflexology, so I was used to a learning environment. Secondly, in my clinical placement I was very fortunate to enjoy support, encouragement and excellent teamwork at the QMMU. Thirdly, the programme was flexible and allowed me to work at my own pace.
The RTP programme can last up to a year. It is a well-organised intensive programme, requiring strong commitment and motivation on the part of the returner. It was based around five workbooks, a detailed competency booklet, a case study exploring the care provided to a woman during pregnancy, birth and postnatally, and a two-hour unseen written examination requiring up-to-date references. The programme involved constant reading, being observed in practice by mentors as well as attending study days.
It became obvious that there had been many changes to midwifery since I last practised, such as the introduction of the NICE guidelines and the RCM position statements on the use of water in labour and birth, as well as hospital policies and protocols. There is also a greater emphasis on information technology and it seems everything has to be entered digitally – yet this does not appear to have reduced the workload for midwives. The increase in technology has been remarkable over such a moderate timescale, but it was encouraging to see greater use of complementary therapies too.
Lastly, I have to mention the increase in physiological management of the third stage, skin-to-skin contact between baby and parent, no nurseries and more emphasis on breastfeeding technique. It is apparent that evidence-based practice is strongly promoted today as the key to modern woman-centred care and quality midwifery practice.
As a result of the RTP programme, I feel I have a greater understanding and empathy for women and students. I am already missing the interesting discussions and debates. Midwifery practice is constantly evolving so the studying does not end here – this is only just beginning for me.
I would like to end by expressing my thanks to all the staff at the QMMU and the RCM.
