Academics in the fields of psychology and nursing – Dr Andrew Clements, Prof Gail Kinman, Sandra Leggetter, Kevin Teoh, and Prof Andrew Guppy– conducted a study into the high drop-out rates of student nurses and midwives in professional and academic settings.

The group’s analysis found that positive work placements and experience – underlined by good working relationships with colleagues – are vital to creating a sense of professional identity, and thus commitment, amongst student nurses and midwives.

Dr Clements, Lecturer in Organisational Psychology, explained:

“Encouraging positive professional identities and commitment in students is vital to replenishing the nursing and midwifery professions.

“Most students are committed, but do not always feel accepted as part of the team when they go to placement.

“Students want to feel that they are contributing to the team, so praise can have a very powerful effect.”

The research, entitled Exploring commitment, professional identity, and support for student nurses and published in Nurse Education in Practice, was based on surveys of 171 student nurses and midwives, alongside nine semi-structured interviews. The research found students tended to focus on their professional identity and clinical placement experience as crucial to their commitment to their chosen profession.

It also found that negative relationships with qualified practitioners could weaken students’ sense of professional identity and, by extension, reduce their work commitment.

Analysis of the data paid particular attention to the role of mentors in the development of student nurses and midwives. It is thought that emphasis on creating strong interpersonal relationships between students and mentors would forma basis for improving professional identities and, therefore, work commitment and drop-out rates.

“If students feel unwelcome, they may be more likely to question their choice of profession and withdraw from their studies,” continued Dr Clements.

Since the University of Bedfordshire provides mentorship training, this was targeted as an area ripe for future research.