Early career midwives' job satisfaction, career goals and intention to leave midwifery: A scoping review

Abstract

Objective: To scope and synthesise literature around the job satisfaction of early career midwives - those in their first five years of post-qualification practice - including the effect on their career aspirations and intention to leave the profession.

Design: Scoping review.

Methods: Relevant databases were searched for published research studies and grey literature. Literature were selected through adherence to pre-set inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure relevance. Literature was included that was published from 2012. Selected literature were tabled and common themes were mapped to look for similarities and differences in findings.

Findings: Ten papers were included - seven original research studies, a fact sheet, a non peer-reviewed article, and a conference paper. Negative themes - lack of support, workload stress, and job dissatisfaction, and positive themes - passion for midwifery, collegial relationships, and autonomy - were found across many of the included papers.

Key conclusions: Many midwives are considering leaving their profession due to the stress of their work, role dissatisfaction, and a lack of support. This is more common amongst early career midwives. There were some protective factors such as having pride in the midwifery profession. More research is needed to identify and address the needs specific to early career midwives.

Keywords: Attrition; Dissatisfaction; Early career; Health Workforce; Midwifery.