I would like to pursue a career in midwifery, how difficult is it to get accepted? Please share any experience

Question

I have 10 G.C.S.E grades, 4 As, 4 Bs, and 2 Cs, and also 3 A levels, grades B, C, and D, (English, Business studies and general studies). I would like to apply for a place on a direct entry midwifery course, and I want to know if this is likely to be sufficient, or if there is something else I could do first that would improve my chances of being accepted. The main problem is it would be much easier for me if I were in the Manchester / Liverpool area as I have family there. I am 27 and have 2 young children, but I would have lots of family support while studying. I would like to apply possibly next year or the year after, so my children are a little more independant by then.

It was my own horriffic experience of pregnancy that made me realise that midwifery would be a career I would love. Some of the nicest people I have met in my life were those women that helped me during my pregnancy, birth, and postnatally. I feel that because of my personal experience I have a very deep understanding of what women can go through. I am naturally a caring person, and find it easy to talk to people from all walks of life. I am also fascinated by the whole subject of pregnancy and child birth. I am a very determined person, and usually if I decide I want something I won´t give up until I get it!!

The pay does not concern me, it would be a job I would do just because I would look forward to going to work every day, however financial support while studying would be a bit more of an issue, as I know that this would be the hardest 3 years for us as a family.

Please can any one share their experiences of the training, or of the job if you are a qualified midwife. Any advice would be very much appreciated!

Answer 1

I'm not a midwife, but I am an RN and a few of my friends are midwives and my mum is also.

I didn't train in the UK, I trained in Australia.

The NHS have some information on becoming a midwife:

http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/midwife.sht...

If you want to get into a course you should first look at what universitys in your area offer the course, and talk to them about grades and how to get into the course. Often when you apply for a course as a mature aged student they are more lenient with grades and look at your life experience etc.

Some of the cons of being a midwife would be the unsociable hours (night shift is horrible), it can be challenging and stressful, and at the moment there are a lack of positions available for nurses (many nurses in the UK are finding it hard to get jobs at the moment).

The positives would be, having a job you (might) love (my mum describes it as the best job she has ever had- she loved sharing in peoples happiness of a new baby), learning new skills, getting into the work force etc.

Midwifes do more than deliver babies, they work in the community, do check ups, work in intensive care for mothers and babies, etc.

I think in the UK you get a wage while you train which is a plus also.

I think you should definitely go for it.

Hope this helped. Goodluck.