Hi all,

I'm J, I'm 20 and planning to apply for midwifery next year,2009, and can't wait. I wish I was doing it this year, but thats a whole other story! The reason for the post is that I really need some help with my personal statement. After weeks of saying i'll do it tomorrow, I finally sat down yesterday and put together something! I would really appreciate some feedback as it is only my first draft and really want it to convey all the things I feel about midwifery and why I want to do it. Anyway here it is and as I said all comments (constructive!) would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance.

J
xxxxx

Having a warm smile and a positive attitude goes a long way in life and can be especially helpful when you are helping a woman and her family make very important decisions about bringing their child into the world.

From a young age I’ve been intrigued by the whole process of child bearing, from the pre conception biology right through to the birth and even beyond. I’ve watched many programmes about pregnancy and birth (thanks to discovery health channel) including student midwives, labour and delivery and Portland babies! While I am aware that not everyone gives birth in the luxury of the Portland Hospital, I am fully dedicated to this career and these programmes have all served to further reinforce my desire to become a midwife. I believe that the role of a midwife is far more than people actually realise. They work as autonomous practitioners who are extremely skilled and knowledgeable in their field. Not only do they ‘catch’ babies, they provide care for women before during and after their pregnancies and are an important figure head for these women at such a crucial time. I am aware that no two days for a midwife will ever be the same and I relish this fact as the job provides many challenges. Having had the opportunity to study at university for two years, I am fully aware of the dedication and determination that it takes. It also requires a lot of commitment, discipline and excellent time management. Though some may see my non completion as a disadvantage, I would have to disagree. I feel that this experience really forced me to think about what I wanted out of life and what I felt was best for me. I know that I have made the best decision possible by applying to do midwifery as it is where my heart has always been. I know that I am academically capable and look forward to succeeding in my chosen course. The experience was valuable as it taught me a lot about myself and I am now in no doubt that it has fuelled my desire to become a midwife. I have recently got a job as a Newborn Hearing screener within one of my local PCT’s. I feel that this will provide me with very valuable experience seeing some of the issues that can occur postnatally. It is extremely difficult to gain maternity experience and as a result I have read a variety of books about birth and midwifery including…… by ……. And ……… by ……… they have given me the opportunity to step into the world of midwifery through another’s experience. I want to empower and educate women to support then to make the informed choices/decisions they feel are best for them. I think it is very important for a midwife to be calm, caring, strong, enthusiastic, cooperative, sensitive and compassionate and I believe I have these strengths and traits. I feel that compassion, sensitivity and understanding are crucial when faced with delicate situations such as cultural differences and teenage pregnancy (areas I am very interested in). I believe that these qualities along with an open mind, kind heart and a fierce determination and passion to succeed and grow will be what makes me a great candidate for the course.


Let me know what you think


Ps I have read books, as i have stated (even though I've left blanks!) I just intend to read more before I send it off! Has anyone read Midwife Crisis: The Calamities of a Trainee Midwife, by Hilary Cotterill and Baby Catcher: Chronicles Modern by Peggy Vincent ??

Hi J

First let me say that this is good for a first draft. Read over your statement, there are various grammar mistakes, i.e. 9th row down, (ME time) and last line (AND brilliant). Secondly i would include some midwifery journals, to make sure that you are up to date on current issues to do with midwifery. I would take out the section on a course that you didn't complete. If they want to know about this, they can ask you. The only other thing that i would suggest is to go more in depth about the role of the midwife. Universities are looking for people to have researched this role in a big way, also do you have any other experience, if not perhaps try to shadow a midwife, or attend some NCT meetings, something like this. Hope this is of help and not to brutal, its not meant to be. Best of luck x Almost forgot, split your statement up into paragraphs.

Hi J

Have edited your post and made a few amendments.

Its good so didnt need much from me

Id suggest you add a few lines in about understanding the role of the NMC, RCM, NICE and that you have picked up knowledge and understanding of midwifery language from our educational resources section (I hope youve been in and had a look at the videos and scroll through the glossary? as its all good prep).

Your passion comes through and you were honest about leaving one degree for another and your reasons why and that will be respected - Id leave it in as its likley to be the first thing they question when deciding whether to interview you and if you have already answered the question it may help you to get an interview.

Agree re paras but assumed you just copied and pasted and it always comes out like that! I think you covered the role of the midwife throughout you talk about being an advocate for women, I added the bit about supporting them to make informed choices but the rest is there, the diverse nature of the role, no two days the same, antenatal, intrapartum and p/n care etc..

Good luck and let me know how it goes

Jxx

__________________
J
StudentMidwife.NET Founder & Director

"You're braver than you believe. Stronger than you seem. And smarter than you think."
Christopher Robin in Pooh's Grand Adventure

Please help us raise funds for a bereavement room in Honey's memory by taking part in the SMNET Auction & Raffle here thanks x

thank you ladies i really appreciate this

Hi Cupid!!
Wow looks great to me and I just wanted to say best of luck hun!!

Hi all, thank you so much for the help and suggestions, especially you J ™! I have put below my secong draft. Let me know what you think

Just wanted to say your personnel statement sounds really good, it really sums up how passionate we feel about midwifery! Best of luck to ya girlie


xx

Hi cupid87,

Thats a really good personal statement i just have some concerns about mentioning particular programmes and channels youve watched!!! just think to say you've watched births and midwifery training programmes would be enough as not everyone likes these programmes they even make some of us cringe so medicalised etc!!! would hate you to have a lecturer reading it who also feels like that may ask you some aquward ?sp questions!!!. Only a suggestion mind good luck with your application keep us informed!!!

Jules xxx

It looks ab fab to me! Only thing I would say, a little bird told me quite recently, that the NHS sometimes doesnt always agree with the work the NCT does. I dont know why but am trying to find out. So perhaps it would be worth you looking into that before mentioning the NCT.