Community or hospital based?

[Goosy]

A few questions here i would like to ask......

When you are qualifed is there a job waiting for you at the hospital you have been on placement at?

Can you take a job as a community midwife straight away or do you need to work in a hospital first?

As soon as you qualify do you instantly become responsible for your practice or do you have a mentor/guide for a while?

Thanks x

[Norman]

Well I think....

No, there are jobs generally applied for by newly qualified's - but anyone can apply and in the last few years there generally hasn't been as many jobs available as there are newly qualified midwives...

The general rule of thumb is 2 years post qualifying experience before you can go for community - but they do occasionally make exceptions (I reeeaaaaaalllllllly want to work on community so am a bit gutted about this!

You get extra support for your first year - I think!

Hope that helps!

[Goosy]

Thank you that has helped

x

[smwife]

Originally Posted by cariblue A few questions here i would like to ask...... When you are qualifed is there a job waiting for you at the hospital you have been on placement at? Can you take a job as a community midwife straight away or do you need to work in a hospital first? As soon as you qualify do you instantly become responsible for your practice or do you have a mentor/guide for a while? Thanks x

There are jobs, but not the funds always to fill the many vacancies! currently in my trust NQ's are getting fulltime employment, but may star with dome hours until there is enough money to pay them full-time. Nationally though (according to the recent RCM Midwives mag, many NQ's cannot get employment)

Some trusts do allow NQ to go straight out into community, but this is rare. It is preferrred to give you 1-2 years to consolidate your practice, and gain your extra skills to move up to band 6 first (last year this really got me down, but I can now see the sense in it )

On qualification you choose a preceptor who supports you through the consolidation period (NQ band 5 to band 6 is called preceptorship)

[Goosy]

Thanks

So can a midwife work independantly then? x

[caz]

I know of 1 midwife who went independent straight from qualifying, don't know her personally but found her on the web when reasearching into independent midwives x

[smwife]

Originally Posted by cariblue Thanks So can a midwife work independantly then? x

Yes some do, there is no reason why they cannot, lotuseater on here and on www.midwiferyworld.NET went indie straight from qualifying, so she is a good one to ask about that