184 | Chapter 8 The aim of this thesis is to contribute to the knowledge about NQMs’ experiences when transitioning-into-practice, NQMs’ and experienced midwives’ occupational wellbeing, and to gain insight into how to support NQMs’ transition-into-practice. Furthermore, we conducted a study on the wellbeing of experienced midwives and the determinants of that wellbeing, and on the decision-making processes of midwives with intentions to leave the profession. Finally, we explore experienced midwives’ perceptions regarding NQMs, and their role in and contribution to supporting NQMs’ transition-into-practice. MAIN FINDINGS The first research question concerns the experiences of NQMs during their transitioninto practice in two work environments: the community and the hospital. How do NQMs perceive their transition-into-midwifery practice and how is this transition supported in practice? NQMs’ perceptions In the context of community-based midwifery, the findings show that NQMs perceived the transition-into-practice as both liberating and difficult. NQMs perceived themselves as liberated after graduation, after which they work without supervision of a midwife. On the other hand, the transition was difficult because of the decision-making responsibilities and the differences between their expectations and the reality of practice. In NQMs’ perceptions, the administrative and organizational aspects of the as well as working as a locum midwife in various practices and regions, was demanding. Working without routines in practice costs them a lot of their mental capacity, time, and effort. Job resources included support from colleagues, when available, and peers. However, interaction with colleagues could also be experienced as a job demand if they were the practice owners, since they regularly acted as commissioners, which made NQMs feel dependent on them for future work. Support for NQMs in the practice organization is mostly informally organized, with the introduction consisting of a preliminary interview and a practice folder containing information on practical matters. Support from peers seemed important for NQMs, and was available in practice. They contacted their peers frequently, and perceived their support as ‘safe’. Hospital-based NQMs perceived the transition-into-practice differently than community-based NQMs. They experienced the hospital environment as demanding: the job came with a high workload, with the expectation that they could manage several birthing suites simultaneously, and they were required to start working both as a team member and while being supervised by an obstetrician. Working within a
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