Supporting the midwifery workforce: evaluating an undergraduate midwifery student employment model in Victoria, Australia

In response to midwifery workforce shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Victorian Department of Health implemented a number of workforce maximisation strategies. One was the introduction of a new employment model for undergraduate midwifery students called ‘Registered Undergraduate Student of Midwifery’ (RUSoM). To evaluate the RUSoM model introduced in four maternity services (three metropolitan and one regional) from the perspective of RUSoMs and midwives. An online survey distributed to all RUSoMs and midwives after the RUSoM model had been in place for at least three months (Site 1 August 2021, Sites 2 and 3 March 2022 and Site 4 October 2022). The survey explored midwives’ and RUSOMs’ views of the model, role preparation, scope, support, supervision, organisational impact, and positive and negative aspects of the model. In total, 58/89 (65%) RUSoMs and 255/944 (27%) midwives who had worked with a RUSoM participated. All RUSoMs and 98% of midwives believed the model contributed to work readiness, all RUSoMs and most (95%) midwives considered that the model increased confidence, and almost all agreed that the model increased competence to practice. All RUSoMs and almost all midwives (95%) reported positives for the organisation including reduced workload for midwives and improved quality of care for women and babies. RUSoMs felt supported, supervised and clinically and theoretically prepared. Both groups considered RUSoMs were underutilised, that they could undertake additional duties, and supported the continuation of the model. This study has added to the limited evidence regarding undergraduate employment models for midwifery students. The model was highly valued and participants were strongly in support of continuation of the model and considered it to be a key strategy given the workforce shortages. Further research should explore the expansion and sustainability of RUSoMs in the maternity workforce.