An Innovative Approach to Midwifery Education: The Bridge Clinical Experience

Enhancing preparedness for midwifery students who do not have prior experience as registered nurses (RNs) and are entering a graduate-entry nurse-midwifery program is crucial for their success. A graduate-entry program is an accelerated academic pathway designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in a different field, leading to a master of science in nursing (MSN) in 3 years. During the first year of the graduate-entry pathway, students complete undergraduate nursing education, take the National Council Licensure Examination and become RNs before beginning their master's coursework. This approach can be challenging for non-RN students who enter an MSN program with less clinical experience and potentially less comprehension of the nurse-midwife's professional role. The aim of the Bridge Clinical Experience is to strengthen the readiness of graduates by improving their RN clinical experience during their first year of study. By leveraging students' enthusiasm for their chosen field of midwifery, this curriculum redesign fosters interprofessional relationships and introduces advanced concepts early in the program, thereby enhancing their student experience and setting them up for success.