Home
Issues
Aim & Scope
Open Access
Editorial Board
Indexing
Supporting Midwifery Associations
Contact us
Manuscript Types
Manuscript Formatting
How to submit
Special publications and Reprints
Authorship & COI
Principles of Transparency Checklist
Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Statement
CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Evaluating the neonatal postnatal support nurse pilot workforce model at three Victorian maternity health services: A multiple-methods study
1
Deakin University, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Geelong, Australia
2
Deakin University, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Melbourne, Australia
3
Latrobe University, Judith Lumley Centre- School of Nursing & Midwifery, Melbourne, Australia
4
Western Health, Midwifery, Melbourne, Australia
5
Deakin Univeristy, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Melbourne, Australia
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A628
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The Australian and global midwifery workforce shortage impacts outcomes for women, babies, midwives, and health services. A pilot workforce model was implemented at three Victorian maternity health services, with registered nurses working alongside midwives to provide newborn care on the postnatal ward.
OBJECTIVES:
To assess midwives and registered nurses’ pre-implementation expectations of the neonatal postnatal support nurse pilot workforce model.
METHODS:
Thirty-eight Likert-scale questions explored midwives’ and nurses’ views and expectations of the new role, current job satisfaction and workload, in preparation for implementation.
RESULTS:
The pre-implementation survey was completed by 18 nurses and 45 midwives at two sites. Results indicated that nurses looked forward to starting their new role, felt welcomed, and were prepared for working in the postnatal wards following orientation. Over three-quarters of respondents felt confident about working collaboratively, and with new equipment and procedures. They also expected challenges in the role (88%); however, they anticipated the role would improve their work satisfaction (100%). Most nurses were interested in gaining future midwifery (72.2%) or neonatal nursing (83.3%) qualifications. Midwives perceived the nurse role to be a valuable addition to the postnatal wards (78%); however, their understanding of the nurses’ scope of practice varied between sites (41% and 80%). Prior to implementing the nurse role, about a quarter of midwives felt they had enough time to ensure a safe environment for women, babies, and families, and over three-fifths indicated that they had taken leave due to work-related burnout and fatigue.
CONCLUSIONS:
Midwives may require additional support to deliver safe and quality care on postnatal wards. The introduction of neonatal postnatal support nurses may relieve midwife workload burden and give nurses the opportunity to explore their interest in pursuing a midwifery career. A 12-month multiple-methods evaluation is underway.
KEY MESSAGE:
Evaluation of the model will inform future maternity workforce and care delivery models. Poster session 2 (Group A)
The Australian and global midwifery workforce shortage impacts outcomes for women, babies, midwives, and health services. A pilot workforce model was implemented at three Victorian maternity health services, with registered nurses working alongside midwives to provide newborn care on the postnatal ward.
OBJECTIVES:
To assess midwives and registered nurses’ pre-implementation expectations of the neonatal postnatal support nurse pilot workforce model.
METHODS:
Thirty-eight Likert-scale questions explored midwives’ and nurses’ views and expectations of the new role, current job satisfaction and workload, in preparation for implementation.
RESULTS:
The pre-implementation survey was completed by 18 nurses and 45 midwives at two sites. Results indicated that nurses looked forward to starting their new role, felt welcomed, and were prepared for working in the postnatal wards following orientation. Over three-quarters of respondents felt confident about working collaboratively, and with new equipment and procedures. They also expected challenges in the role (88%); however, they anticipated the role would improve their work satisfaction (100%). Most nurses were interested in gaining future midwifery (72.2%) or neonatal nursing (83.3%) qualifications. Midwives perceived the nurse role to be a valuable addition to the postnatal wards (78%); however, their understanding of the nurses’ scope of practice varied between sites (41% and 80%). Prior to implementing the nurse role, about a quarter of midwives felt they had enough time to ensure a safe environment for women, babies, and families, and over three-fifths indicated that they had taken leave due to work-related burnout and fatigue.
CONCLUSIONS:
Midwives may require additional support to deliver safe and quality care on postnatal wards. The introduction of neonatal postnatal support nurses may relieve midwife workload burden and give nurses the opportunity to explore their interest in pursuing a midwifery career. A 12-month multiple-methods evaluation is underway.
KEY MESSAGE:
Evaluation of the model will inform future maternity workforce and care delivery models. Poster session 2 (Group A)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
