a b s t r a c t
This paper will describe the experiences and perception of a cohort of trainee Advanced Midwifery
Practitioners (AMP's) during their training on an MSc in Advanced Practice. The educational philosophy
underpinning the master's programme is interprofessional learning linked closely to work based learning
and assessment. The focus group explored how the AMP's were developing core competencies within
four domains:
1. Clinical/direct patient care or practice;
2. Leadership and collaborative practice;
3. Improving the quality and developing service practice;
4. Development of competency in self and others.
The links between the university and clinical assessments were instrumental in developing both
midwifery and specialised skills required for extending their scope of practice. The changing demographics of their client group facilitated the need to provide safe assessment and management of
ladies with complex health and social needs in pregnancy and childbirth; provide specialised clinics and
the development of a robust staff training and assessment process. The generic competencies they gained
improved collaborative working with their medical colleagues, raising the trainees profile and acceptance of their extended role. In addition to this, development of specialised midwifery skills promoted a
high degree of decision making responsibilities within midwifery to facilitate service development and
promote evidence based care.
ISSN:
1471-5953
eISSN:
1471-5953
Description:
Nurse Education in Practice enables lecturers and practitioners to both share and disseminate evidence that demonstrates the actual practice of education as it is experienced in the realities of their respective work environments, that is both in the University/faculty and clinical settings. It is supportive of new authors and is at the forefront in publishing individual and collaborative papers that demonstrate the link between education and practice.