How well do you think the course and placement prepares you for being a practising midwife?

No real reason for asking, I am just curious. I know that it is impossible to cover every situation you are likely to face once you qualify, but just wondered how people felt about this that are further along on the course than me?

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

PAB Support Worker

Interesting question. Though I have a way to go, most of us are now working quite independently from our mentors. Very quickly there has been a huge step up in responsibilities and consequently expectations. This feels good though and rpomotes trust between mentor and student as each understand and trusts the others capabilities. And we seem to learn an awful lot more working that way, as we have to get on with it and also get everything checked by our mentors/countersigned etc.

I think this is preparing us well for clinical practice as midwives, though sometimes I miss the experience you gain from watching midwives practice.

On the theory side, it is very difficult to cover all the enormous amounts of info needed, I try hard to fill the gaps by reading alot in my own time, and this is very neccessary with most of the course.

On the whole, so far, I feel it prepares us as well as is poss, but I think the real learning happens when we qualify and are doing it on our own pin!!! IYSWIM?

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I don't think you can ever cover every possibility on the course, there are not that many vaginal breech deliveries for instance and to get one or even witness one is very lucky.

I think it is maybe like driving a car (not that I can drive lol), you learn the basics up to qualifying, then learn the job 'properly' once you qualify. I agree that not everything can possibly be covered during training.

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

PAB Support Worker