Supporting Laura to become a midwife
Registered Midwife Laura Crouch recently completed the St John of God Health Care Graduate Program to transition from nursing to midwifery, and says she has found her new passion.
4 Apr 2022
After starting her career as a nurse and having her own children, Laura made the decision to follow her passion and become a midwife which is a role she describes as “a teacher, clinician and nurturer all in one”.
She completed the St John of God Health Care Graduate Program last year at St John of God Subiaco Hospital where she has stayed on providing antenatal and postnatal care to women and families.
“As a midwife, I think it really is an honour to share the most vulnerable and memorable time of a family’s life and, for the most part, provide the happier side of health care,” Laura said.
“I had worked at St John of God Subiaco Hospital as a casual registered nurse about 10 years ago and really enjoyed it. I was also able to keep my pay reward level that I held as a registered nurse, which was not available at other hospitals.
“As I was coming back to work after having a baby, I really valued that the hospital made me feel comfortable about how many days I worked and supporting me in working shifts that worked around my family life.”
Laura said the support she received during her graduate program made her career transition to becoming a midwife a highlight.
“I was given so much support and education and felt comfortable to ask all of the educators whatever I needed to transition appropriately from a nurse to a midwife,” she said.
“This nice thing about working in St John of God Health Care’ private maternity ward is that our families get longer stays and have the option for dads to stay, which really allows us, as midwives, to provide exceptional family cantered care. “
Laura’s experience as a midwife so far has been shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic. She says while the changes required due to the pandemic have at times been difficult to navigate, the support and care for women and babies has been elevated.
“While we haven’t been able to welcome as many visitors into our wards during this time, it has enabled more time to be available to give new parents support and education before they go home,” she said.
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