A pilot study: Transitioning into a new graduate midwife-perspectives about a unique student-led practice

Objective: To explore midwifery students' (and as new graduates') experiences and level of satisfaction about a student-led midwifery model of care. Methods: This was a qualitative study to elicit rich descriptive data from the participants. Thematic analysis was used. The students were interviewed at the end of their final year of study and they were subsequently interviewed at the end of their graduate year. Results: Two overarching themes were identified from the qualitative findings from the first and second interviews including the students building and sustaining important relationships and transitioning from a student to new graduate. Conclusions: The midwifery students valued the opportunity to spend one year in a student-led model of care so that they could build and sustain important relationships with women and their team including the mentor midwife as new graduates. The students developed confidence by being respected by midwives and enabled them to advocate for women.