Ep 89 Virginia Stulz on thriving after burnout and reshaping maternal health education

Ep 89 (http://ibit.ly/Re5V) Virginia Stulz on thriving after burnout and reshaping maternal health education

@PhDMidwives #research #midwifery #PIPE-MC @westernsydneyu #burnout #unicanberra #TTMEC

Research link - ibit.ly/2Obkq

What does it take to pivot from a registered nurse to a pioneering midwife, and what lessons can we learn from this journey? Join us as we shine a light on Virginia Stulz's inspiring career transition and her influential role in New South Wales' first Community Midwife Program. Virginia unveils her dedication to continuity of care and reveals the profound impact it has had on her practice. Her stories weave a rich tapestry of experience and passion, from her pivotal training days at Gosford Hospital to her academic research into stress and burnout among healthcare professionals.

Virginia's academic journey didn't just end with a PhD; it was a transformative path filled with emotional and psychological challenges, including the daunting task of finding one's identity post-dissertation. Listen as Virginia candidly shares the uncertainty she faced and how community acting became her unexpected refuge and companion. Her insights on balancing work and personal happiness provide vital lessons for anyone navigating demanding careers. These reflections are not just theoretical musings but are backed by Virginia's own research, which delves into the grim realities of burnout and the necessity of self-care in healthcare professions.

Beyond personal narratives, we explore the broader implications of Virginia's work in advancing maternal mental health education, particularly through the Pipe MC workshops. Discover how these initiatives are reshaping training for maternity clinicians and the significant progress they are making in Australia's healthcare landscape. We also touch on ongoing research projects evaluating educational programs, offering a glimpse into the future of midwifery and healthcare education. Virginia's dedication to improving the lives of healthcare professionals and the patients they serve is both inspiring and enlightening, making this episode a must-listen for anyone invested in the future of healthcare.

Chapters

• 0:00 Journey Into Midwifery and Research
• 16:11 Post-PhD Transition and Self-Care
• 20:09 Healthcare Shifts and PhD Challenges
• 25:34 Celebrating Achievements and Career Transitions
• 37:19 Advancing Maternal Mental Health Education
• 50:23 Evaluating Education Programs and Research