Newly qualified midwives’ perceptions of their level of midwifery clinical competence during community service in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Background: There are links between the inadequate numbers of competent midwives and high maternal mortality ratios and neonatal mortality rates which highlights the significance of job-ready, newly qualified midwives who can display clinical competence. The South African Nursing Council regulated mandatory community service, as a supportive year to develop clinical competence.Aim: To explore and describe newly qualified midwives’ perceived level of midwifery clinical competence during community service.Setting: Both the event of the pandemic and the distribution of the potential participants across various geographical settings necessitated planning for data collection in real and online settings convenient to them.Method: Non-probability purposive sampling was utilized to select and invite the post community service, newly qualified midwives (N = 65), of the select university, who underwent community service in 2018 and experienced exposure to maternity care settings in the eThekwini District (n = 23). Data were collected through five focus groups and analysed through Elo and Kyngas’ content analysis.Results: Three categories emerged: transitioning from the sheltered education environment to the real practice world, support in practice: disparate realities and interception of mentorship. Six subcategories accompanied the categories.Conclusion: Newly qualified midwives’ clinical confidence and competence transitioning from the safe academic environment to the authentic accountable clinical setting hinges on mentorship and welcoming, non-stigmatising supportive relationships that facilitate the integration of previous learnings into community service practice.Contribution: The study allows for audibility and awareness of the transitioning midwives’ perceptions highlighting the significance to maternity staff and policy makers, of supportive relationships and structures.