Negotiated placements: enhancing midwifery education

At the University of Nottingham student midwives have the opportunity to negotiate an optional placement at the end of teaching period II to observe the delivery of midwifery care in a different organization for up to four weeks. Students take responsibility for making the arrangements with the receiving organization; setting realistic aims and objectives; and meeting all costs involved. I will be eternally grateful to the Iolanthe Midwifery Trust (www.iolanthe.org) and my university's Alumni Association which provided funding for me to undertake my placement in Zambia, Africa during the autumn of 2007.