Abstract
Background
The Registered Undergraduate Student of Midwifery (RUSOM) workforce model provides
final year midwifery students an opportunity of paid employment and gain experience
as an assistant to midwives. A RUSOM supports the work of midwives by providing care
to women and their newborns. Little is known about how the RUSOM role impacts the
range of stakeholders in maternity care settings.
Aim
To evaluate the acceptability of the RUSOM role, how it is experienced by staff and
women, and its impact on quality of care.
Methods
A mixed-methods approach including 9 qualitative focus groups (n = 41) and 4 descriptive
surveys (n = 135) was used.
Findings
The introduction of the RUSOM role has numerous benefits for the service, midwifery
staff, women, and the RUSOM themselves. The RUSOM relieved the burden on the postnatal
ward, giving midwives more time to work at their higher end of scope in direct clinical
care. Having a clear scope of practice for the role ensured there were clear boundaries
between the RUSOM and the midwife, resulting in the positive satisfaction for the
maternity services team and women in their care.
Discussion
Employing RUSOM staff has both immediate and long-term benefits for maternity services.
The role had the potential to improve the professional development of upcoming midwives,
leading to high quality and experienced graduates that are an invaluable asset to
a maternity service.
Conclusion
The positive outcome from this evaluation provides evidence for the expansion of the
RUSOM model which can enhance the quality of care for women.
Abbreviations:
RUSOM (Registered Undergraduate Student of Midwifery), RUSON (Registered Undergraduate Student of Nursing)Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 21, 2022
Accepted:
April 13,
2022
Received in revised form:
April 12,
2022
Received:
November 24,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
