Sabbatical leaves for nurse-midwives in clinical practice

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Midwifery
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Clinical practice demands limit opportunities for academic writing, teaching, and skill development.
• High burnout rates in professions like nurse-midwifery are a significant concern.
• The need for sustainable work practices in demanding healthcare roles is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation of a short, rotating sabbatical program in a nurse-midwifery clinical practice.
• To present specific goals and guidelines for a sabbatical leave.
• To explore the sabbatical as a job-related benefit for healthcare professionals.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative description of a sabbatical program's implementation.
• Presentation of established goals and operational guidelines for the sabbatical.
• Discussion of the sabbatical's role within a clinical practice setting.

Main Results:

• A structured sabbatical program was successfully implemented.
• Clear goals and guidelines facilitated program operation.
• The sabbatical was viewed as a valuable job-related benefit.

Conclusions:

• Short, rotating sabbaticals can be effectively implemented in nurse-midwifery practices.
• Sabbatical leave can serve as a beneficial tool to combat burnout and enhance professional development.
• This model offers a potential strategy for improving job satisfaction and retention in demanding healthcare roles.