WORKING AS A COORDINATOR MIDWIFE IN A TERTIARY ...

the sense of value nurses attributed to feeling part of a team and where there was the
opportunity to debrief with colleagues, thereby separating out work life and home life.
Overall findings in Edward’s research revealed non work related support systems and
professional development enhanced resilience. Self awareness and insight was crucial for
resilience in addition to the use of humour in the workplace where creativity and
flexibility was achievable. The nurses studied held themselves in high esteem with a
strong sense of self worth and clinical expertise. No research on resilience of midwives
has been found in literature reviews.
Communication and Decision Making
Coordinators are decision makers who work with risk in the unpredictable high stress
delivery suite environment (Health Emergency Management New Zealand Bulletin,
2007; Fraser, 2006; Pitroff, Campbell & Filippi, 2002). With the lack of certainty
associated with childbirth, Lankshear et al., (2005) reveal how midwives will pool
knowledge with successful risk management occurring in delivery suites when decisions
are collectively made particularly regarding management of ‘at risk’ patients, with this
becoming “a socially negotiated activity” (p.374). They go on to observe “any particular
decision may be the subject of dispute, negotiation and occasionally pulling of rank”
(Lankshear et al., 2005, p.374).
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