Getting started in midwifery

TallPoppy · #1 (**permalink**) 31-Oct-2007, 01:36

Whats good about being a student midwife?

It's interesting and challenging - you meet different women and their families everyday, and work closely with them to support them throughout the experience of pregnancy and childbirth
It's rewarding because you're helping people
There are lots of job opportunities, such as working in hospitals or health centres, or in health counselling and education in the community
The NHS pays your tuition fees, and you can apply for a bursary
Average salary: £19,166-£73,281 at consultancy level

What skills do I need to be a midwife?

Communication, caring and helping skills
Being able to work as part of a team as well as independently
Staying calm and alert in times of stress
Reacting to problems quickly and effectively

How do I become a midwife?

There are different ways of becoming a midwife. You can study for either a midwifery degree or a midwifery diploma, which usually take 3 years.
You do not have to be female to be a midwife - there are currently 112 male midwives in the UK.
For the degree course, you can take A Levels or AVCEs, or a combination of the two. You should take at least one Science and/or health-related subject, and aim to get grade C or above in all your subjects. NVQ and Access courses are also often accepted
Entry requirements vary, so check individual university websites for specific details

Where can I get more information?

Visit the NHS Careers website (NHS Careers) for information about midwifery
Go to the careers adviser or the careers library at school/college

Noo · #2 (**permalink**) 06-Nov-2007, 20:00

Hi. You might as well take off the bit about midwifery diploma as its not available from this intake in the UK.

midwifemissy · #3 (**permalink**) 22-Jan-2008, 21:49

Originally Posted by LittleNoo

Hi. You might as well take off the bit about midwifery diploma as its not available from this intake in the UK.

Yes, that's true, I was going to do the diploma, until I realised it was no longer available.

TallPoppy · #4 (**permalink**) 23-Jan-2008, 01:42

Sadly this is true it has now all changed.... its a shame because as I understand it, the funding means the course is soley means tested now and not non means tested as the diploma was....

midwifemissy · #5 (**permalink**) 23-Jan-2008, 10:54

Yep it is all means tested.

Not sure how they work out your 'means' though, cos the amounts you get don't add up to a whole lot lol.

Noo · #6 (**permalink**) 23-Feb-2008, 13:27

Originally Posted by Josie

Sadly this is true it has now all changed.... its a shame because as I understand it, the funding means the course is soley means tested now and not non means tested as the diploma was....

Unless you study in Scotland or Wales. They receive non means tested bursaries as they've been degree only for quite a while now.

DancingQueen · #7 (**permalink**) 23-Feb-2008, 15:28

You can apply for a student loan tho. Which apparently is bout £3000 a year. You only pay it back when earning over £15, 000 a year.

TallPoppy · #8 (**permalink**) 23-Feb-2008, 15:56

Thanks Noo and Boo for the additional information.

midwifemissy · #9 (**permalink**) 23-Feb-2008, 16:33

Sorry to but in and contradict a little here, but the student loan is £2.265 (or £2.225 can't remember exactly which)

smwife · #10 (**permalink**) 23-Feb-2008, 20:17

I think it may vary according to the local authority, I get £3000 a year in my area.

Also the means tested bursary 'means' that I get alot more than the diploma bursary (which the stude nurses get for theri diploma course at our uni,their's is a fixed £5500 a year)

I always thought we degree studes get the rough end of the stick, until I got my first bursary letter (it really isn't bad)

Getting started in midwifery

Getting started in midwifery

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