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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
The will to stay: A qualitative exploration of midwives’ motivation to stay in the profession
1
University of Groningen- University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Primary and Long-term Care, Groningen, Netherlands
2
Midwifery Academy Amsterdam Groningen, InHolland, Groningen, Netherlands
3
Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Midwifery Science, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A386
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Understanding what motivates midwives to stay in the profession is essential for building a sustainable midwifery workforce. While attention has been given to the causes of attrition, focusing solely on why midwives leave risks overlooking —and even undermining —the very factors that keep them engaged. To truly strengthen the profession, we must shift our perspective and explore what enables midwives to remain committed, so that these factors can be preserved and reinforced within the organization of midwifery care. This requires insight into their experiences across different life and career stages, as their needs and motivations evolve over time. The sustainable employability of midwives can only be improved if these positive drivers are understood.
OBJECTIVES:
This study explores the reasons that motivate midwives to stay in the profession and how they address these reasons, with the aim of informing sustainable employability strategies.
METHODS:
An exploratory qualitative design was used, involving semi-structured interviews with practicing community midwives. Participants were purposively sampled to ensure diversity in career stage, employment type, and location. The swAge model served as the theoretical framework. Thematic analysis was conducted in two phases: inductive coding followed by deductive mapping onto the swAge dimensions.
RESULTS:
Midwives expressed intention-to-stay reasons across all four swAge dimensions; biological, chronological, social, and cognitive. Those with a strong intention to stay actively adjusted their work environment to reinforce motivating factors, illustrating the dynamic interplay between these dimensions.
CONCLUSIONS:
Midwives reported diverse and evolving reasons for staying in the profession, shaped by their life and career stages. They collaboratively and proactively shaped their working conditions to better reflect their changing needs.
KEY MESSAGE:
Sustainable midwifery careers require innovative thinking and a flexible, supportive work environment that evolves in response to midwives’ personal and professional needs. Workforce - sustainability 1 (including three-minute presentation competition)
Understanding what motivates midwives to stay in the profession is essential for building a sustainable midwifery workforce. While attention has been given to the causes of attrition, focusing solely on why midwives leave risks overlooking —and even undermining —the very factors that keep them engaged. To truly strengthen the profession, we must shift our perspective and explore what enables midwives to remain committed, so that these factors can be preserved and reinforced within the organization of midwifery care. This requires insight into their experiences across different life and career stages, as their needs and motivations evolve over time. The sustainable employability of midwives can only be improved if these positive drivers are understood.
OBJECTIVES:
This study explores the reasons that motivate midwives to stay in the profession and how they address these reasons, with the aim of informing sustainable employability strategies.
METHODS:
An exploratory qualitative design was used, involving semi-structured interviews with practicing community midwives. Participants were purposively sampled to ensure diversity in career stage, employment type, and location. The swAge model served as the theoretical framework. Thematic analysis was conducted in two phases: inductive coding followed by deductive mapping onto the swAge dimensions.
RESULTS:
Midwives expressed intention-to-stay reasons across all four swAge dimensions; biological, chronological, social, and cognitive. Those with a strong intention to stay actively adjusted their work environment to reinforce motivating factors, illustrating the dynamic interplay between these dimensions.
CONCLUSIONS:
Midwives reported diverse and evolving reasons for staying in the profession, shaped by their life and career stages. They collaboratively and proactively shaped their working conditions to better reflect their changing needs.
KEY MESSAGE:
Sustainable midwifery careers require innovative thinking and a flexible, supportive work environment that evolves in response to midwives’ personal and professional needs. Workforce - sustainability 1 (including three-minute presentation competition)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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