New Jersey Midwifery Education Project Publications
The NJ Midwifery Education Project research team has developed a growing body of research focused on midwifery education, clinical training quality, and workforce sustainability in New Jersey and across the United States. Explore and download each of the New Jersey Midwifery Education Project publications below.
Midwifery Students’ Experiences of Clinical Education: What Helps and What Hurts
Clinical education quality in midwifery hinges on supportive preceptors, diverse learning environments, and flexibility for students. While positive mentorship fosters confidence and professional growth, negative behaviors and systemic barriers undermine learning—underscoring the need for structured oversight, preceptor training, and equitable support to sustain a strong midwifery workforce.
Alspaugh, A., Blumenfeld, J., Lindberg, L. 2025. Midwifery Students’ Experiences of Clinical Education: What Helps and What Hurts. J of Midwifery & Women’s Health.
Clinical Education Experiences of Sexual and Gender Minority Midwifery Students in the United States. Health Equity
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) midwifery students report significantly poorer clinical education experiences, including lower-quality interactions and higher rates of bias and mistreatment compared to peers. Addressing these inequities is essential to building a diverse midwifery workforce and advancing perinatal health equity.
Lindberg, L, Alspaugh, A., Shapiro, K., Tierney, K., Shapire, J., Blumenfeld, J. 2025. Clinical Education Experiences of Sexual and Gender Minority Midwifery Students in the United States. Health Equity.
Exploring the Experiences of Midwifery Preceptors Using the Differentiated Job Demands–Resources Model
This study explores how midwives experience precepting alongside clinical demands, revealing that while precepting can provide professional purpose and renewal, it may also heighten exhaustion and burnout without adequate support. Findings underscore the importance of system-level resources to sustain both the midwifery workforce and clinical education.
Alspaugh, A., Thumm, B., Blumenfeld, J., Lindberg, L. 2025. Exploring the Experiences of Midwifery Preceptors Using the Differentiated Job Demands–Resources Model. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs.
Precepting Through Perinatal Emergencies: A Simulation-Based Training for Midwifery Educators
This article describes the development and implementation of a simulation-based training program designed to strengthen midwifery preceptors’ skills in teaching during perinatal emergencies. The workshop integrates evidence-based educational tools—such as the Educational Time Out, peer coaching, adult learning theory, and high-fidelity PRONTO-style simulation—to improve communication, goal setting, and debriefing with student midwives in high-stress clinical situations. Initially offered as an intensive in-person training, the program expanded into a train-the-trainer model and asynchronous online modules to support sustainability and wider adoption. Overall, the initiative addresses a critical gap in preceptor education and supports the growth and quality of the midwifery workforce.
Cohen, S., Kaiser, J., Breeze-Harris, H., Auricchio, E., Calkins, K., Blumenfeld, J. 2025. Precepting Through Perinatal Emergencies: A Simulation-Based Training for Midwifery Educators. J of Midwifery & Women’s Health
Institutional forces that influence the precepting of midwifery students
This study highlights midwives’ perspectives on barriers to precepting students, identifying state, hospital, and university systems as key influences. Findings emphasize that coordinated support across these institutions is essential to expand and diversify the midwifery preceptor workforce.
Alspaugh, A., Blumenfeld, J., Lindberg, L. 2025. Institutional forces that influence the precepting of midwifery students. Nursing Outlook
“Identifying drivers and barriers to precepting midwifery students: “A little part of me lives on in each student midwife”
This study examines midwives’ perspectives on the challenges and rewards of precepting students, using a socioecological framework to highlight the need for institutional support and community engagement to build a sustainable model for midwifery education.
Blumenfeld, J., Alspaugh, A., Wright, L., Lindberg, L., 2024. Identifying drivers and barriers to precepting midwifery students: “A little part of me lives on in each student midwife”. J of Midwifery & Women’s Health
“You and me do it for the love of teaching”: Exploring the expansion of clinical training opportunities for midwives Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing
This study explores the barriers and facilitators to precepting midwifery students in New Jersey, highlighting the need for broad organizational support and recognition of midwifery’s value to patient outcomes, satisfaction, and cost.
Alspaugh, A., Blumenfeld, J., Wright, L. V., Recalde, S., & Lindberg, L. D. 2024. “You and me do it for the love of teaching”: Exploring the expansion of clinical training opportunities for midwives. Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing.