Enhancing leadership and management skills in midwifery through optimised mentorship.

Background/Aims: Mentorship experience is a crucial aspect of midwifery students' development. Midwifery education in Brunei Darussalam aims to enhance leadership and management skills in preparation for the transition to becoming registered midwives. This study explored how mentorship experiences influenced midwifery students' preparation for leadership and management roles, as well as the challenges that impacted the effectiveness of mentorship experiences in clinical settings. Methods: This descriptive qualitative study involved 43 final-year midwifery students from the Universiti Brunei Darussalam who contributed written essays reflecting on their readiness for leadership, clinical learning encounters and perceptions of mentorship. The essays were analysed thematically. Results: Most students felt unprepared for leadership as they had received limited guidance and exposure to clinical settings. Mentorship experiences varied, with some finding it beneficial while others struggle to adapt, citing disparities in mentor motivation, teaching abilities and leadership styles. Conclusions: Practical, hands-on experience is vital to developing leadership and management skills. However, students face challenges in balancing academic commitments with clinical practice, limiting their opportunities to hone their skills. Implications for practice: A standardised mentorship programme and longer clinical attachments would allow students more time to acclimatise to healthcare environments, comprehend their role and enrich their learning journey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]