PURPOSE:
Retention of student midwives is vital to ensuring a sustainable midwifery workforce. Resilience plays a crucial role in helping students navigate the demanding nature of education and clinical practice. In Hong Kong, midwifery training has seen an annual attrition rate of approximately 3.7% (2018–2022), with the highest rate reaching 7.8% in 2019–2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, only around 65.2% of graduates (2019-2024) remain in midwifery roles within public hospitals. This session will provide expert insights into the challenges faced by student midwives and explore strategies to enhance resilience for improved retention and professional sustainability.

DISCUSSION:
As the sole institution providing an 18-month post-registration diploma program in midwifery, the School of Midwifery in Hong Kong plays a pivotal role in shaping the future workforce. However, course evaluations highlight significant stressors, including intense academic pressures, demanding clinical workloads, complex obstetrical cases, and cultural expectations within hospital settings. While some students demonstrate resilience, others experience burnout or leave the profession due to health concerns. Understanding the key factors influencing resilience is essential for fostering a supportive learning environment.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Resilience is defined as the ability to maintain emotional equilibrium in response to adversity (Johnson et al., 2017). High levels of stress are linked to emotional exhaustion and disengagement (Eaves & Payne, 2019), yet a positive response to challenges can be a catalyst for resilience development (Williams, 2016). Interventions such as simulation-based training, web-based learning, and guided reflective practices have shown promising results in strengthening resilience among midwifery students (Clohessy, McKellar & Fleet, 2019).

KEY MESSAGE:
Training midwives is a resource-intensive process. Ensuring resilience among student midwives is fundamental to sustaining a competent workforce. This expert sharing session will delve into resilience-building strategies, emphasizing the need for further research and institutional support to enhance student retention and professional development. Poster session 3 (Group B)