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Innovations in Pedagogy and Technology

Views and Experiences of South Australian Midwifery Students who Completed a Conflict Resolution and Resilience Building Workshop

  • Naomi Simpson
    Clinical Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5000, Australia
    Author
  • Rachael Vernon
    Clinical Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5000, Australia
    Author
  • Annette Briley
    Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park 5042, Australia Women and Children’s Services, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, Lyell McEwin Hospital, Elizabeth Vale 5112, Australia
    Author
  • Mary Steen
    School of Nursing and Midwifery, Curtin University, Bentley 6102, Australia Department of Nursing and Midwifery Education and Research (DNMER), Women and Newborn Health Service, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Subiaco 6008, Australia
    Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63385/ipt.v1i3.148

Keywords:

Bullying, Conflict Resolution, Education, Midwifery Students, Resilience

Abstract

Midwifery is recognised as having a culture of workplace bullying. Bullying impacts midwives and midwifery students. Experiencing workplace bullying has negative consequences for midwifery students (professionally and personally). Developing midwifery students’ skills to manage conflict and maintain their well-being is important. We aimed to explore midwifery students' experiences of a bespoke education program to develop skills in conflict resolution, build resilience, and identify self-care strategies. This study was the second phase of an explanatory sequential mixed-methods research project. Twelve second-year midwifery students were interviewed between February and December 2024. Students had the option of attending an interview in person, by phone, or online (via Microsoft Teams/Zoom). Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework was utilised to undertake a reflexive thematic data analysis. A previously published research protocol guided this study. Results demonstrated that participants perceived an improvement in their knowledge and understanding of workplace bullying, following workshop attendance. Upon reflection, the students acknowledged that their confidence in addressing bullying behaviour was still evolving. Several students described their resilience levels as improved and recognised the importance of good support in building individual resilience. Conflict resolution education appeared to be beneficial for midwifery students and enabled them to develop skills to identify and manage workplace bullying. Incorporating a bespoke educational workshop on conflict resolution into a Bachelor of midwifery degree, with subsequent reminder sessions, may improve students’ knowledge, ability, and confidence to manage workplace bullying. This education could also enable students to build resilience to deal with such conflict, which may improve workplace culture.

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    Copyright (c) 2025 Naomi Simpson, Rachael Vernon, Annette Briley, Mary Steen

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