Literature Review: The Transition from Student Midwife to Newly-Qualified Midwife

Fairy tale or reality shock? This paper aims to review literature around how the transition period is experienced by students transitioning into newly-qualified life. Qualifying as a midwife is one of life’s greatest achievements for those studying to become one. However, newly-qualified midwives (NQMs) are entering a profession that is currently experiencing significant challenges and expectations that may be at odds with reality. More than 600 fewer midwives are currently on the register than there were a year ago.1 The current need for more midwives is critical and retaining those midwives begins with the newly qualified.