I think I really do want this! But worried about telling people.

Over the past couple of weeks I think I have come to the conclusion, that actually I DO definitely want to be a midwife.

The thought has always been in the back of my mind but I have never felt confident enough. I'm nearly 24 now and feel that now I am not only mature enough but also confident enough to manage the responsibility a midwife holds.

I am also quite worried/concerned about telling family (including my other half) about my plans. I imagine my 'history' looks a bit wishy washy and like I just keep changing my mind.

A bit of history: I have got 2 science A-levels and 2 non-science a-levels. I was originally going to do pharmacy but didn't get the grade so instead did a science degree. After my degree I did a one year teaching degree because getting a science job was proving difficult. Then I spent a year looking for a teaching job and finally got one in september (2011).

Therefore I have been in my job about 4/5 months but I have decided that I hate it and don't want to be a teacher much longer. Obviously I would be applying for 2013 entry which means potentially another year in teaching

Not only that but this is my first 'proper' job with a proper wage and having already been a student for 4 years, the thought of having 'student' money for another 3 years is quite worrying, especially as OH is currently unemployed so we are forced to live with parents at the moment.

I am so excited I could burst but don't know how to tell anyone because I know it will be seen as just another 'phase'. I wish I could go back and change everything I did as I would have worked for a couple of years instead of going to uni straight away and would have just gone to uni around now.

Sorry for the long ramble I am just excited/nervous/worried/scared :-$

I'm about the same age as you and I was in a very similar position to you this time last year. I had a degree in a completely different subject and was working in an unrelated job which I thought I wanted, but turned out I didn't like very much. I decided that I wanted to pursue midwifery as I'd been thinking about it for years and I knew I'd always regret it if I didn't try. Telling my family was very scary, as my mum in particular was getting fed up of me changing my mind all the time. It was actually nowhere near as bad as I thought it was going to be. My mum was a bit funny about it for a few months but they're all behind me now. Your family might end up being a lot more supportive than you think.

There are lots of us on here who've already got degrees and had previous careers so you shouldn't worry about looking like you can't make up your mind. Deciding what you want to do with your life is a big deal, I don't think there are that many people out there who have stayed on the same path their whole life. There are also a few ex-teachers on here so you're not alone! x

I'm in exactly the same position. My choices have been eclectic to say the least (Law degree, literature/history masters/PGCE) and I was dreading telling everyone. Surprisingly, I was overwhelmed with support. I think everyone was happy I was finally doing something I am totally passionate about and they're all amazingly supportive. They may surprise you xx

I think often it takes a long time and often to have actually experienced things we dont like to realise what we really want.
I always knew deep down I wanted to be a Midwife, but have done alsorts along the way, thinking they would be better for me, for my family, for one reason or another.
It came to a head for me this year when I thought I had made the desicion to become an early years teacher- went into school to do voluntary , and hated it!
I thought long and hard and was terribly worried about telling hubby, but he knew that I would alwyas come back to Midwifery as he says 'its what Imeant to do!!"
Dont worry hun, as long as you have the passion, then practicalities will sort themselves out!

I didn't tell my mum and stepdad for several months because they are worriers, I knew they'd worry about me doing another degree and incurring more debt and not getting a job straight away. So I waited until I knew for certain and had taken some definite steps, worked out practicalities etc. Then I told them in a way that didn't make it sound like a big drama, as though I just expected them to be supportive and happy and after a few murmurs of uncertainty they have been basically fine. Good luck! You might well be surprised, I was.

I still haven't told anyone!!!

I go to college 4 days a week and only my husband and mum know about it!!!

My dad, in-laws, friends and the rest of my family haven't got a clue!!

I have chosen it to be this way, because like you, over the years I have changed my mind about what career path to take and also i am afraid of failure and not getting into uni!!

I think you should be braver than me though because you have to have a good memory to keep up this false front!!!! xxxxx

hi,

i sounds like this career is pulling you towards it as other careers have failed to capture your heart as much as midwifery seems to do. if this is what you really want to do then go for it. maybe your family will be a bit miffed but then again maybe they will be overjoyed that you have found a career that will truely make you happy. as for student money again could you not start saving up now, you have 18months before you start the course in 2013 woudl this give you some time to save up so that the student money would not be that much of a limitation.

good luck you will love midwifery.

a.xxx

I didnt tell anybody that I applied this year, for different reasons to your own though.
Its your life, you have to go to work everyday, and if you hate what you are doing, then why carry on doing it. Be brave and talk to them, they might surprise you xx

Thanks for all the replies, sorry I have been without the internet for a couple of days and only just managed to get online.

It's good to hear other people have felt the same and it has all turned out ok! I suppose the main thing I am worried about is the 'i told you so' response. When I announced I was going to train as a teacher I got a lot of comments because I am a very shy/quiet person and you would not expect me to be a teacher. I was determined to prove that I could but I have now realised I actually hate it and struggle with the behaviour side of things.

My close friends always tell me I should go back and do midwifery because they think I would make a great midwife. But, I have never spoke about midwifery to anyone else really it's just always been something in my 'heart' (if you see what I mean? So it's going to seem like it's just another thing for me to do.

I am going to try and save up money before applying so hopefully I can have extra to live off. However, realistically I don't think I want to stay in this job longer than a year which means I would need to hand in my notice in april to finish in august. I know how hard the job situation is so I am highly worried about another potential year of unemployment.

It's such a difficult decision, but will the time ever be right?

I'm shy and quiet as well. In fact, I got told I was too quiet in the group discussion at my last interview but they still offered me a place to start next week!

If you really want it, go for it. I'm not sure that there will ever be a right time, to be honest, although saving up money in advance is a very sensible idea. x