 Re: Interviews with Student Midwives
What year are you in?
All of a sudden, I find myself in the 3rd year, being referred to as a "senior student"....how did that happen?
Whats are your personal circumstances?
i.e. married/kids/single etc
Am married, 6th wedding anniversary in Feb. No kids yet, waiting to qualify.
What did you do before you became a student midwife?
I trained as a nanny when I was 20 and did that on and off for 10 years. I also ran a backpakcers hostel in NZ, worked for TNT backpacking magazine in Aussie, ran a couple of pubs and worked on a fruit and veg stall when I first came to England!!
Why did you choose Midwifery?
Have wanted to be a midwife since I was about 21, but if I had done it then I wouldn't have stuck to it. So, I did all my "20 something" stuff (travelled, got married and drank too much) and then got to 30 and thought lets go. No one specific reason for doing it, just seemed right.
How did you feel on your first day at uni and in practice? First day at uni, quite apprenhensive. The others had had a pre-course day, but I was in Fiji when they did that. But everyone was lovely and felt exactly the same way. 1st day in practice, I was shitting myself, never been so nervous in my life!!
Please share a highlight of being on the course, so far...Attending and delivering 10 babies at home, and counting!!!
Please share a low point and how you got through that...Losing people from the course, it really sucks. But on the whole, my cohort are fantastic and offer a lot of support to each other.
Do you prefer academic or clinical? Am more a hands on person myself, gimme pracical any day!
What is your favourite midwifery text book? The oxford handbook of midwifery, its bloody spectacular!
What is your favourite midwifery literature book? i.e. babycatcher. Call the midwife, don't ask me who its by don't have it handy!!
What is your shift preference? earlies/lates/long days and what time to they start and finish Prefer an early shift, start at 7 and finish at 5. Lates are ok, start at 12 finish at 10 but nights suck!
Are you a member of a midwifery organisation? i.e RCM/ARM/LLL Member of ARM, RCM
Do you feel supported in practice? if yes/no please tell us why that is. Apart from recent "alternative" (don't even go there) placement, have had really wonderful mentorship. Love the community and my community mentor is fantastic. Have had a really hideous year within my personal life and she has been a star.
Do you feel supported at Uni? if yes/no please tell us why that is. No, suddenly we are in the 3rd year and they don't give a damn about us
Do you prefer antenatal/intrapartum/postnatal? and why? Intrpartum, just love it
What are your future plans as a midwife? Would like to work in the community. I will go back to NZ one day and hopefully work as an independent there
Share your wisdom.... what would you like to pass on to other students/wanabes? Be totally prepared for a real rollercoster ride. If you are like me, you'll beleive midwifery is all roses and wonderful and I 'll tell you the rose tinted specs come off really quick. It will be the most happy, sad, wonderful and terrifying expereince of your life. You'll make amazing friends through your training and they will be the most valuable asset at getting you through your training in one piece. But go for and good luck!!  |