If you are a midwife who left the profession...

[stmw321]

Or a midwife who qualified and never started your preceptorship.

What do you do now?

I am a stmw and am set to qualify in 18months.
I am doing well in uni and get positive feedback from my practice supervisors/assessors. I love the women and can see how given the correct support it can be a wonderful role. However the current staffing crisis, terrible working conditions and hostile management (hostile toward other midwives, not me!) are making me not want to start my preceptorship.

The lack of support for newly qualified band 5's is astonishing. Why aren't they trying their very best to retain them?

Has anyone been in the same position? If so what did you do?

I am thinking quite seriously about health visiting.

What I would say is: not every Trust is the same. I had the shittest student time ever, then went to another Trust and it was so different. I've just changed jobs from a really stressed out awful environment to one that I am LOVING that I feel is really kind and nurturing.

If you have options to go elsewhere than where you are witnessing this, and you still love midwifery, maybe give it a go for a bit somewhere else. I know some people go straight into other work but if you still love midwifery then do look at all your options.

Also check out the facebook group 'Beyond Midwifery' as there's a lot of people who've left or who are leaving and there's some ideas there. Abortion care and fertility care are two areas where midwives seem to be going as well, if you aren't so much about 'babies and children' and are more about the women (I cannot think of much worse than having to know what's normal for a 2 year old!!)

I've been qualified over 15 years and have had time 'away' but am happy that I work in midwifery, midwifery doesn't own me, and that makes me feel like I do have some autonomy over my destiny - but that's much easier to do once you've done your preceptorship at least.

I left within 6 months of qualifying. I’m dual qualified so returned to nursing. Worked my way up to Director of Clinical Services which is my present role. I often use my midwifery knowledge so never considered it s waste

I haven't left yet but I'm 8 years in and the main earner so will keep going for now. Like @Iwouldlikesomecake said think about getting a job outside of your trust once qualified. It varies greatly across trusts. I still love caring for the women but the last two years have been truly awful so you're not getting the best start. I really feel for current students.

Really good advice re applying at a different trust, I would consider this although it is a daunting thought!

I will look at the beyond midwifery group

@lateSeptember1964 I'm not dual qualified and don't really fancy nursing but well done getting as far as you have! It can't be an easy role.

@Fispi yes I'm a current 2nd year so this is all I know unfortunately!

I went from a tiny hospital where I trained to a massive London unit and never regretted it once!

I’m a specialist midwife now. More autonomy and 9 to 5 (ish) hours.