I would like to study midwifery, any advice?

[Wannabemidwife2]

Hi there,

Am looking to apply in Sept. to study midwifery fulltime. I know it's a competative course so any advice would be really appriciated!

I'm not a parent (not planning on becoming one in the next 3 yrs either!), have A level in Biology (C) As level in Chemistry and Paschology (both D) among others. 2:1 degree in History. Loads of expeirence dealing with the general public, first aid trained, I just really love looking after people. I have some experience looking after my grandmother with dementia and doing basic first aid on general public, but other than that no expeirence in hospitals/health care etc.

I tried to get some volunteering in my local hospitals - it's going to take 3 months for my application to even be considered! Local hospices were no good either.

From speaking to various people, I doubt I could get any expeirence on the labour wards.

I know competition for this course is really tough, so any advice? Where could I go to get some expeirence? I work full time, mon - fri so need to fit it around that.

Many thanks everyone :)

[GingerRodgers]

Sorry I can't help with anything else but have you got a local sure start? Could you enquirer about volunteering there?

[WeAreAllStarDust]

This September. As in 7/8 weeks away? I'm starting a Midwifery course and I had to apply last year, you'd be better trying for next years intake.

[Wannabemidwife2]

Hi, thanks for the sure start heads up - will give them a ring. No, I'd like to apply in Sept to start in Sept 2015. Good luck with your course : )what kind of things did you do to prepare for the application?

[WeAreAllStarDust]

Why do you want to be a midwife?

I worked in the healthcare sector before having my ds last year. I have known for years this is what I wanted to do. I studied at college before and after my baby was born. I'm really excited to get started.

[smellyfishead]

Right here goes
First things first, get yourself on some online midwifery forums/student midwife forums, you will learn loads from them and every bit of info helps!
Your ucas profile is the most important thing here, it needs to be great, I personally spent a good 6/7 months writing and editing mine till it was as perfect as it could be- if they don't like your profile you wont get to interview stage and that's usually the next step(some have additional questionnaires you have to fill out and they score you on your answers and that determines if you get an interview)

get in touch with as many hospitals/surgeries you can and ask about any kind of work experience/voluntary work/shadowing you can do, even just a few days worth counts for something. if you work ft, try offering to shadow someone on a night shift, probably more chance as there are generally a lot less students in at night so they'd have room for you iyswim

Look into things that you could do between now and sept 2015 that you could add into your profile, paediatric first aid, healthcare short courses or workshops etc, have you got a crb?

be prepared you may not get in first time, many don't and with usually 500+ students all going for 50ish places its not surprising. strive to but don't get disheartened if you don't, just use the time wisely to add to your profile again for the following year

I wish you all the best, its not a easy course and it will take over your life, but its so worth it, just wish id made it to the end.

[Marnierose]

Don't mention babies. They like you to be committed to woman centered care, the baby aspect is very insignificant in the role of a midwife.

[feeona123]

I work in uni admissions.

Talk to the uni to see what they are looking for. Do this now before clearing starts.

They may want you to do a relevant access course from September, so I suggest you ring the uni's you are interested in tomorrow

X

[toastandmarmiterocks]

When was your degree? I had to show evidence of study in the last 5 years. You need to write a personal statement that will stand out from the rest. What makes you the one to choose? It's not just about your passion for midwifery but your commitment to study too. You have to be flexible. If you can only get work experience during your working hours then take some annual leave and do it. It's highly competitive and if you don't go all out for it there are others that will.
Good luck.

[SeattleGraceMercyDeath]

Where are you hoping to study? We do a work experience program for our potential student midwives and our uni do taster courses as well. Definitely get onto some midwifery forums, they'll give you a good insight as to the reality of being a student/midwife, to be honest, a lot of it is pretty crap at the minute, don't get me wrong, I love the midwifery part of my job but everything else is hideous right now. Good luck!

[smellyfishead]

I agree seattle and the dire lack of jobs is alarming and the reason why I wont be trying again for some considerable time, some of the ladies in my cohort ended up with a job share/no job

[smellyfishead]

I agree seattle and the dire lack of jobs is alarming and the reason why I wont be trying again for some considerable time, some of the ladies in my cohort ended up with a job share/no job

[SeattleGraceMercyDeath]

We have plenty of jobs in our unit (although I know some areas are the complete opposite) but that in itself creates a problem In that we're so understaffed and are 'bottom heavy' when it comes to band 5/6 staff as we just can't recruit experienced midwives. Those we do have are absolutely exhausted trying to run a stupidly busy unit, not designed for the workload with mostly inexperienced staff who haven't dealt with half the stuff we deal with as a high risk referral unit.

Sorry for the thread sidetrack with my whinging.

[cosmicnibbles]

Hi, starting a midwifery degree this September.

I helped at a local mums and babies group, did a bf peer supporter course (though think you need to have bf a baby to do that) , also assisted at a few nct antenatal classes, these take place in the evenings / weekends so you can fit round a job. I had a background in youth work, supporting vulnerable young women and that helped too.

I second taking a lot of care over your personal statement - also think carefully about who will be your referee- the uni will mark you on this when deciding whether to interview.

I've wanted to do this course for years-
pretty nervous for all the reasons pps haves mentioned above. But excited too.

Good luck