More than 90 percent of final year midwifery students are struggling to find a job, a new survey published today by the Royal College of Midwives reveals. The survey also showed that 58 percent of midwifery students were concerned about getting a job. The survey comes as the midwifery profession is moving into a new era as an all graduate profession.

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That is pitiful news.I wondered when they would do a survey, it's even worse that we thought.

These campaigns are all very well, but no one is actually doing anything.

Can this forum start some kind of campaign for the bursary and a guaranteed job for NQ midwives?

This is all really depressing

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I agree smwife, it is pitiful, but is it a true reflection of the facts I wonder, it states that they only surveyed 170 students out of the vast number that are members of the RCM?

Something does need to be done to change this awful situation though, and so far as you so rightly say, nothing is, time for change I think, and fast!

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Blimey, I didn't notice that part, MM! Maybe it is not realistic with such a small sample. Every qualifying student should have a form to fill out within 6 months of graduation maybe. To include;

How long their pin takes to come through
Job applications within own trust and others
CRB return and duration
Support and assistance from their university
(does this happen? Tracyb? Kentish? what say you two? shoshana? Dory? what about you two?)
Have they secured a full-time or part-time position?
Have they secured a Job at all?

etc, perhaps this forum and the new one could assist with this? Josie?

The RCM conference was very disheartening, I have raised this subject at the trust I am training at and have been told not to worry, and am trying hard not to, but it is tough!

I do know those recently graduated got part-time hours to start and then these were topped up to full-time permanent positions with the start of the new tax year. So hope all of us there will get a job, I wonder how it is where everyone else is based?

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The survey of 170 students in the UK – the second to be carried out on students for the RCM – looked at aspects of student midwives' work, morale. hopes and aspirations to see how attitudes are changing with the shift to an all-graduate profession in 2008.

To say that is states they have 2.981 members I think this survey is pretty poor to be honest, the point they are making is a good one, but would have carried more weight I am sure if it had involved a larger number of students.

The survey idea is a really good one I think, and would give a much better picture of the situation.

How can we not worry though, we basically put our lives on hold for three years to do this course, struggle financially often to breaking point, and for what at the end?

If we weren't so commited to the job at the end then I am sure there would be very few students even thinking of training in the first place.

Part time hours are all well and good, and yes, it is a job, but I couldn't afford to live if I could only work part time, so what choice does that really offer at the end of the day?

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Student Midwife 2007

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only 170 students replied to the survey, it was sent to over 1500 students, so i think it reflects student apathy rather than the RCM being at fault! The forms were handed out at the RCM conference, and from there you were asked if you would ever want to be contacted about surveys, publicity, case studies etc etc. I am on their register for this sort of stuff, and therfore filled out the form, but am realy disappointed with the small numbers of replies. However, I do think the answers are fairly representative of the student voice across the country.

The petition for getting employment for a year post reg has now been closed! So whats going to happen now, i'm not quite sure.

If anyone would like to be contacted about surveys and things from the RCM, or case studies etc etc, pm me and i will give you the details
x

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Ahhh, thanks for that Olly, it wasn't made clear in their report that had happened.

Why didn't they send them out to all the members I wonder, I know not everyone would reply, but not everyone can make it to the conference for various reasons?

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erm, not sure really! I dunno!
sorry
x

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Nooo, no need to be sorry Olly, I was just thinking aloud really lol. Does seem strange though doesn't it, or is it just me lol?

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Have you just been offered a place? If so and you want a mentor please post in post this forum (also post here if you would like a mentee)