Vicky did you go straight into independent practice after qualifying?

Kell xx

Yes, I did. Not the best thing for some people but it felt right for me. It was hard trying to get to grips with my clinical practice as well as all of the business side of things and practising without insurance etc.. but I'm glad I took the plunge straight away as I may not have had the bottle to do it once I worked in a hospital....the money is better on the NHS too, so I may not have done it for that reason.
Vic xx

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Vicky
Liverpool Independent Midwives

I love being a 'real' midwife. I still get days when I think I know nothing.

The hospital that I trained at didnt take any of the students on last year but I was offered a job at a different hospital within the Trust. I was so scared of going to a different unit but it was brilliant, the staff were so supportive and I really feel that I have consolidated my practice. I now want to move into community midwifery.

I qualified in September 2007 after a lot of hard work and I have just been offered my first job at the trust I trained at, to start in April. I have seriously lost my confidence though and am thinking of turning it down. I don't feel ready to be so responsible for a woman and her baby and I feel as if I know nothing about anything at the moment. Any advice?

Hi Caroline
Im not a student midwife yet got an interview friday so can't really help much. But I think you should take the job youv'e obviously worked hard to get where you are and deserve it. And if you don't and wait longer it will only knock your confindence more. I am sure once you get back into it you will be fine.

Caroline, I have heard that alot from NQM's particularly if youve had something traumatic happen in practice recently. One of my friends has been qualified a few years and says she still has days when she feels she knows less than a first year on first placement. I think its the nature of the job tbh as everyone keeps saying when you feel like you know it all its time to leave. There is an irony in there tho, perhaps at this time when you feel a bit lost its time to make that jump. Give it a go and if its really not for you then rethink at that point. You may kick yourself for not giving yourself that chance.

Big hugs

Jxx

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caroline did you take the post?

i qualified in 2006 but was diagnosed with breast Ca the same day my name went on the register.... i had joined the bank but they were so slow and due to my illness i wasnt in any rush to practice so went back to my safety zone in nursing but the bank finally got their finger out and i did my first shifts in oct 2007 18 months after i qualified... it was scary and still is cos i dont get regular shifts but there are loads of people there who will support you if your a bit lost.... and i would recommend consolidating now rather than putting it off.... they obviously have faith in you or they wouldnt have offered you the position.
good luck

I suppose it is hard when youve just qualified its like 3 years of being with someone to hold your hand as such and then once your qualified your out on your own its like omg i can imagine it now how id feel very very nervous good luck to you all xxxxxxx

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Access Course Student 08/09
Applying To Swansea Uni for 2009

Hi. I'm new here. Just subscribed to this forum today.

I see that this thread has been going a while, but thought I would add my thoughts.

I first qualified as a midwife in 1992. Had a career break when my children were young and did the Return to Practice in 2004.

I liken qualifying as a midwife to passing your driving test. When you're a learner you feel confident in your driving, as you prepare for the test. During this time you've always got another driver sitting by the side of you. But, once you've passed your test, that's it..... you can go solo and your driving is all your responsibility and it's all on your licence!

When I first passed my driving test I felt so nervous, going out on my own. I regularly swore behind the wheel of the car (I never normally swear!). I was just so scared! Agghhhhh! But, gradually I became more confident and I calmed down. Jumping in the car became like second nature.

And so it has been with midwifery. The first few months/years were very scary. I felt quite unsure of myself, inspite of being well prepared for the role during my training. But, this said, I don't think it is good for a NQ to be over confident. A bit of nerves are a good thing. - That's what keeps you on your toes!

Now, I feel like I am driving in the fast lane of the motorway, keeping up with the rest of them!

That is a great way to think about it,

Thanks for that Soshana, I will remember that.

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

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