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.