Anyone left midwifery? For what?

[stupidphone]

Hi, I've been a midwife for 15 years. Did the direct entry at Diploma level. Love the job that I initially set out to do but unfortunately this isn't the way it is anymore or likely to go. I was wondering if anyone has any success stories of moving on to different pastures? Would love to hear your stories! No money to re-train at the moment.......

[WhippinPiccadilly1]

In the same boat. So I'm watching with interest....

[rollonthesummer]

Oh no-DD is considering midwifery! Can you give more detail about what's making you want to leave?

[stupidphone]

So far.....Botox nurse! Maternity nurse and Thoughts on own cleaning business! Think I may have to top up to a degree then least have degree level education (ffs)! If only I knew this 15 years ago I would've made very different plans.

[stupidphone]

Oh there are so many. I work in a lovely place and have had such a wonderful career but the cuts are beyond scary. So so sad what is happening to the nhs. Sometimes I feel I should stay and not jump but the stress is unbelievable most days. Just do a google search of "why midwives are leaving the profession".

[Applesandpears23]

My private midwife left the NHS to do caseload midwifery on a private basis. She is brilliant and it sounds like most of her clients are women who had crap NHS experiences the first time around. One to consider?

[Joyofscreamingjoy]

All health visitors I've come across lately have been midwives previously...not sure on what training they do though. No shift work/weekends & all bank holidays off.

[Mungobungo]

Watching with interest too. I adore my job but I'm terrified of the future and I definitely can't see myself doing it until retirement age.

Applesandpears there's a big issue now with independent midwives and not being able to practise because no adequate liability insurance is available so even going independent is a dodgy prospect.
Plus being independent wouldn't be a good fit for me anyway, I'm not organised enough to run my own business and I'd be rubbish at making sure I got paid.

I keep looking for other prospects but I'm reliant on the wage.

[stupidphone]

Independent midwifery is going through massive changes and problems as can't get insurance. Health visitors are in a similar boat to us. Rarely see 'low risk ' families....they seem to be merging into more of a social worker role - masses of child protection etc

[TheStorySoFar]

I'm a Practice Nurse & one option I'd thought of recently as a change was to start a cleaning business!! I'm privately employed, so can't comment on NHS. But working in a 'caring' profession for what's effectively a small business is tough. After 9 years I'm ready for a change. Watching with interest OP.

[stupidphone]

Yep I like the sound of a cleaning company, dog walking etc. No worries of being struck off or sued because you can't do a zillion things per second. No post traumatic stress because terrible things have happened.

[Mungobungo]

Yep I like the sound of a cleaning company, dog walking etc. No worries of being struck off or sued because you can't do a zillion things per second. No post traumatic stress because terrible things have happened.

^this^

Oh to have a whole nights sleep without anxiety waking me up fretting over something that I may or may not have forgotten to do/hand over.

I've been fantasising for a long time about running a tea shop by the sea. But that kind of thing needs funding, which I don't have. I can dream though.
It would be challenging, but making a boo-boo would have very different (and less scary) consequences.

[TheStorySoFar]

So true. It's the level of responsibility you have, no matter how busy you might be; that's what makes it so very stressful at times. It's 4am on a Saturday morning for me, after a particularly busy Friday. Wondering if I left something undone/someone not contacted....not nice.

[Bombaybunty]

I work in OH and hate it. Not in the NHS. Fed up with the attitude of employers towards genuinely ill people.
My clinical skills are so outdated that I can't go back to general nursing. And I really don't want to either.
I've applied for a job in a garden centre. It's less than a third of my currently salary but I don't care any more.

[Babyroobs]

I am trying to get out of Nursing completely. I also know a few midwies who ave left the profession or just do bank/ agency work. One works doing private scans/ 4d scans.

[puglady2016]

What about being a doula/ maternity nurse ?

[PossumInAPearTree]

How about moving sideways into something like midwifery education or risk department? No clinical work, no shifts?

I'm planning on hanging on until I'm 50 and then trying to get an admin role or ward receptionist job at the hospital.

[spongebob5]

I'm a MH nurse, off sick at the moment with stress. I hear what you're saying, I'm thinking about what else I could do but the options that are available such as teaching or as a disability assessor sound just as bad.

[agedknees]

Thinking of all nurses/midwives in these trying times. Take care.

[rollonthesummer]

Just do a google search of "why midwives are leaving the profession"

I could google it, yes, but I wanted your opinion as you had started the post. I have answered many posts on here over the last few years detailing all the problems in teaching.

[CountryLovingGirl]

Working in the NHS is sh*t at the moment - see my post on the subject. I am definitely getting out and I have a career of 20 years. I have already seen a post at my old university for a senior lecturer in my profession so I am applying for that. I have been up to see them and all looks good. No nights, weekends and you get 36 days annual leave, 8 days public hols and 5 extra days off (for free) at Christmas! A way lot more than the NHS gives me (and that is after 20 years). Also, I can work form home a lot and have better autonomy/flexibility. Oh, it's equivalent of a band 8 NHS post in salary (a nice pay rise from my stagnant band 6 salary).

Could you not move into education?

[Polarbearflavour]

I'm a former nurse. I became a medical secretary (band 4) and the small drop in salary was worth it! I then moved into being a personal assistant in banking - far more money and far less stress.

Ex colleagues have moved into NHS admin work, airline cabin crew or onboard train crew.

[stupidphone]

Sorry 'rollon' didn't have the brain power to write a detailed account of why, only suggested google as I have recently read some really moving articles of why midwives leave the profession.

[Applesandpears23]

Private midwifery and independent midwifery are not the same thing. There are companies that hire midwifes and then provide a private service. The company arranges the insurance cover.

[MichaelSheensNextDW]

I left nursing via a post in the communications team of the hospital where I worked at the time - picked up press release writing skills, media relations and transferable current office systems experience. From that I went into a corporate comms role in the local authority and now do part time comms support for a local health issue charity. I wouldn't go back to an NHS clinical role for all the tea in China.

[felinewonderful]

I am a nurse and want to leave for all the reasons mentioned above. The stress levels are ridiculous and the anxiety I can identify with. I just don't know what to do next.