how to become a midwife

[pinkpiggy29]

im 29yrs old and work full time as an assistant bar manager and have a 10yr old daughter.ive worked the same job for 12 yrs now and would love to train as a midwife to better my life and its something ive always longed to do. and could it fit around my family life and my work life???. would love some advice on how to apply and how to go about this if anyone can help me?.xxxxx

[saxy_jag]

You will have to train as a nurse. I'm not sure whether you have to qualify as an RGN first, or whether midwifery is now incorporated into the main training.

Training for RGN is around three years at degree level, and will involve a mixture of academic, practical and observational study. You will also be expected to work the same shift patterns as employed nursing staff during your ward-based training.

I can tell you all this because I have a friend who qualified as a cardiac nurse a year ago. She has three teenagers, and I think she managed as well as she did due to her whole family and many of her friends and social circle being very supportive of her.

[Buenchico]

It's going to be a long haul to get into midwifery. Before you can even start to think studying for a university degree you'll probably need to get some good A-level grades in science-based subjects (e.g. Biology):
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyo urcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile326/

Chris

[Ice.Maiden]

Go for it, pinkpiggy. The profession needs more midwives, and there's no upper age limit to attaining your dream. Best of luck. xx

[saxy_jag]

Agreed - it is a long haul, and it's bl__dy hard work all the way, and even once you've got there. But the people I know who are nurses wouldn't consider doing any other job, no matter how tough the going gets.

I think it is a vocation rather than just a career, and if you really want it, then you will put in the work regardless.

And good luck!

[saxy_jag]

I spoke to that friend last night and mentioned your question. Apparently, you don't do RGN training first anymore. You go straight in for the midwifery stream and do your three years around that.

She did confirm that it's very hard work, both to get in and to complete the course, but that she doesn't regret it for a minute.

She got in by completing an access year run by the local nursing college, in place of A levels. She also had some experience as a health care assistant, which was what made her want to become a nurse.