Effects of Midwifery Education on Professional Self-Esteem and Problem Solving Skills

To was determine the effects of midwifery education on midwives’ professional self-esteem and problem solving skills. The study was conducted with 277 students who agreed to participate in the study in Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Health Sciences Midwifery Department of a state university located in Central Anatolia region of Turkey. In study Arıcak Professional Self-Esteem Scale (APSES) to assess the professional self-esteem of students, and Problem Solving Inventory (PSI) to assess the problem solving skill of the individual were used as data collection tools. While the professional self-esteem levels were the highest among the 3 rd year students they were the lowest among the 4 th year students. On the other hand, while the 1 st year students’ problem solving skills were the lowest, the 3 rd year students’ problem solving skills were the highest. Students who had positive thoughts about the profession had higher problem solving skills. Students' problem-solving skills and professional self-esteem are influenced by midwifery training and trainers. Students’ problem solving skills increase with the increase in their professional self-esteem. Accordingly, curriculum regulations and content studies should be conducted on the issue. Different methods (care plan discussions, case studies, projects to solve clinical problems, etc.) could be used to prepare training programs that would improve problem solving skills of the students, and to promote their problem solving skills.