Drivers and Barriers to Precepting Midwifery Students

In this episode of Speaking of Midwives , host Melissa Avery, PhD CNM sits down with Dr. Julie Blumenfeld , Associate Professor and Midwifery Program Director at Rutgers University, to tackle one of the most critical challenges facing the profession today: the clinical preceptor shortage. Despite the growing demand for midwifery care in the United States, securing clinical sites remains a complex hurdle for students and program directors alike. Dr. Blumenfeld shares insights from her recent study, "Identifying Drivers and Barriers to Precepting Midwifery Students," using a socio-ecological lens to understand why midwives say "yes" (or "no") to teaching the next generation. The "Time vs. Teaching" Tug-of-War: How to balance high-volume patient panels with the responsibility of clinical instruction without burnout. The Support System: Why institutional backing and workload reduction are essential to making precepting sustainable, rather than a "series of personal favors." Recharge and Renewal: How seasoned midwives find renewed energy and stay current with their skills through the infectious enthusiasm of students. Policy and Funding: The urgent need for federal support—including the Midwives for MOMS Act —to modernize clinical education and provide parity with medical residency funding. Equity in Education: A look into the SIMPL study and the importance of addressing the unique barriers faced by sexual and gender minority students. Precepting isn't just an "extra" task; it is a core professional competency and the heartbeat of the midwifery pipeline. Whether you are an early-career midwife or a veteran practitioner, discover how you can advocate for teaching rights in your contracts and help ensure the profession continues to thrive. Credentials: Julie Blumenfeld, DNP, CNM, FACNM, FAAN Blumenfeld J, Alspaugh A, Wright L, Lindberg L. Identifying Drivers and Barriers to Precepting Midwifery Students: “A Little Part of Me Lives on in Each Student Midwife”. J Midwifery Womens Health . 2024;69(5):727-734. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.13654 Resources: The New Jersey Midwifery Education Project: Access the Preceptor Learning Platform for asynchronous CEs and clinical teaching strategies. Midwives for MOMS Act: Learn more about pending federal legislation to support midwifery workforce development. Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us bring midwifery-led research to the forefront of maternal health.