Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

What job can I do instead? Devastated

254 replies

treetea · 12/05/2023 13:10

I have been working towards a midwifery degree since 2019 and I now cannot continue due to a health issue that doesn't affect me day-to-day, but that they feel makes me unsafe to practice.

It is my dream, I have never wanted to do anything else. I was going to use the degree to set up my own business.

I am now at a loss? I have a 4 year old DS and live alone with him.

I am generally quite intelligent, but not a fan of mathematics.

I'd ideally like something with high (ish) earning potential, but I'd settle for less if I loved it.

I don't want to be in healthcare anymore.

I just can't see myself starting from scratch, I'm absolutely gutted.

OP posts:
Spookysnake · 13/05/2023 11:39

Dixiechickonhols · 13/05/2023 11:24

All local authority vacancies near me that are car user essential have the provision that exceptions will be made if you can’t meet requirement due to disability.

Show quote history

That's really positive!

Achwheesht · 13/05/2023 12:19

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 13/05/2023 12:36

A lot of people on this thread are suggesting teaching or social work, but some health conditions that may be incompatible with midwifery are also incompatible with those (e.g. uncontrolled epilepsy).

OP, I'm really sorry you are dealing with this, and I hope you find a way to move forward. Can your university help you at all with careers advice.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Jobs
Tootyfilou · 13/05/2023 12:41

@Annarabbit I would argue that someone going into midwifery with the prime reason of setting up their own business is not a good candidate and should not have their training funded by the NHS, regardless of their disability. There is a national shortage of midwives, we need people to commit to staying in the profession.

sashh · 13/05/2023 12:43

Shinyandnew1 · 13/05/2023 10:06

Yup! The number of posters telling to just carry on (she’s been told she can’t)
become a HV or nurse (also can’t)
become an OT etc
become a teacher (if she is unsafe to work as a midwife, would she be safe to be in charge of a class of 30 six year olds?)

when we have no idea of the medical situation that makes it unsafe for her to continue as a midwife?

What is actually wrong, @treetea?

You might get useful advice if you tell us that.

Show quote history

As I have been in a similar position I do think I have an idea what I'm talking about. It was a suggestion, that's all.

MachinesOfGod · 13/05/2023 12:47

Strulch73 · 13/05/2023 09:13

Could you transfer to a nursing degree and become a GP practice nurse and work your way up to an advanced nurse practitioner. They are in short supply!

If she can’t meet the placement requirements to be a midwife then she can’t meet them to be a nurse either.

Achwheesht · 13/05/2023 12:49

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

monsteramunch · 13/05/2023 12:52

@Dustyourselfoff

My spidey senses tells me that the OP means “deemed unfit” as in she has failed the course.

Why do you say this when OP has been very clear about the circumstances in literally the first sentence of her first post?

I have been working towards a midwifery degree since 2019 and I now cannot continue due to a health issue that doesn't affect me day-to-day, but that they feel makes me unsafe to practice.

MrsMorrisey · 13/05/2023 12:56

Dustyourselfoff · 13/05/2023 10:10

My spidey senses tells me that the OP means “deemed unfit” as in she has failed the course.

Agree.
In my experience university gives you many opportunities to complete and succeed as it is in their best interests
What the health condition?
Loads of people work with health issues.

coodawoodashooda · 13/05/2023 12:58

EastEndQueen · 12/05/2023 14:06

Feel free to PM me but it’s extremely difficult to advise based on what you’ve said. I’m a midwife by background who works in a senior policy role now which includes student retention and attrition as well as qualified staff workforce issues. I am therefore very aware of the correct procedures and of the reasonable adjustments which can (and are!) made for a whole range of health conditions in midwifery. I am aware of colleagues with severe mental health, sickle cell disease, paraplegic physical disability etc who are all able to work in some of not all roles.

For this not to be the case makes me concerned you haven’t been supported or advised fully….and in the event that whatever is ‘unsafe’ is SO unsurpassable then it may preclude other roles so very very difficult to advise.

Do pm me if you feel comfortable. No need to use your real name. Very very happy to advise.

What an amazing post!

Achwheesht · 13/05/2023 13:00

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Dustyourselfoff · 13/05/2023 13:01

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Yes the Op said this

The examining body said “unfit to work”

can be two very different scenarios

ffsgiveitarest · 13/05/2023 13:12

Tootyfilou · 13/05/2023 12:41

@Annarabbit I would argue that someone going into midwifery with the prime reason of setting up their own business is not a good candidate and should not have their training funded by the NHS, regardless of their disability. There is a national shortage of midwives, we need people to commit to staying in the profession.

Midwifery is nothing like it’s portrayed on the TV. I was a student midwife, there’s a major issue with lack of support from both universities and clinical placements and there is also a bully culture (midwives bullying students), lots of students don’t even make it through to qualifying and those that do (the ones I know) lasted a couple years before leaving.

It’s not a safe profession, things do go wrong and it’s a blame culture and midwifery is mostly medicalised in hospital, perhaps OP wanted to go into independent Midwifery, and needed to do the course to gain registration.

Annarabbit · 13/05/2023 13:38

Tootyfilou · 13/05/2023 12:41

@Annarabbit I would argue that someone going into midwifery with the prime reason of setting up their own business is not a good candidate and should not have their training funded by the NHS, regardless of their disability. There is a national shortage of midwives, we need people to commit to staying in the profession.

Is there an alternative route to qualification in the UK?

ffsgiveitarest · 13/05/2023 14:08

Annarabbit · 13/05/2023 13:38

Is there an alternative route to qualification in the UK?

Show quote history

No, it’s a midwifery degree - theirs is an apprenticeship degree however that’s generally for midwife support workers.

RosaGallica · 13/05/2023 15:52

Spookysnake · 13/05/2023 10:21

Nursing or midwifery students are supernumerary, and universities look closely at placement quality and suitability. You don't know what you're talking about.

Show quote history

Back in the real world…

SocialLite · 13/05/2023 16:14

treetea · 12/05/2023 16:09

Thank you so much everyone, you've given me much to think about.

Just to clarify: I can't finish the degree as it is 50% placement and I am deemed unfit to do so.

See if you can transfer your credits to another course- don't waste all the work you've already done

Original poster
treetea · 13/05/2023 17:01

So I am in my second year, with one placement block left and a few assignments.

I have had two seizures this year, one in January and one in March. I've never had them before and we currently don't know the cause, but they both occurred when I had an infection (think tonsillitis or similar).

They've told me I need to be seizure free for six months and by that point (assuming I don't have any more) it will be too late as I will have missed my placement and unable to move on to the following year.

Its occupational health who have said this. A nurse, doctor (unsure what rank) and a consultant.

I couldn't start another degree from scratch, because I wouldn't be able to get loans to fund it.

Thank you for the ideas everyone. I really am devastated.

Thank you so much @EastEndQueen I will definitely pm you.

OP posts:
Original poster
treetea · 13/05/2023 17:05

Tootyfilou · 13/05/2023 10:43

Why should the NHS pay to train you and then you leave to set up your own business?

The NHS don't pay me to train, I pay. I spend over £1000 a year on parking for goodness sake. I also have worked hard for the NHS.

My plan was to remain on the bank and keep my pin but my main focus be my business.

I wanted to provide midwifery-led antenatal classes, sleep consultancy etc.

I was also looking into aesthetics training (Botox etc.).

Thank you for the pointless, ridiculous comment though.

OP posts:
Motorina · 13/05/2023 17:08

Why can’t you simply take an interruption of studies and restart the year when seizure free?

Original poster
treetea · 13/05/2023 17:08

Dustyourselfoff · 13/05/2023 10:10

My spidey senses tells me that the OP means “deemed unfit” as in she has failed the course.

I have passed everything so far and on track for a 1st.

It's because of my health.

OP posts:
Original poster
treetea · 13/05/2023 17:13

Motorina · 13/05/2023 17:08

Why can’t you simply take an interruption of studies and restart the year when seizure free?

Because I already had to restart 1st year due to being the victim of a crime, so I won't be able to get the funding/loans to complete the degree if I take another interruption.

OP posts:
Boomboom22 · 13/05/2023 17:17

Is there are way to go pt so the finding can be spread? So this year becomes 2 years and in Sept hopefully you'll be 6 month free and can get the placements in? Sorry might not work.

Gothambutnotahamster · 13/05/2023 17:24

That really is rotten Op, I hope you find a way through this.

User2538309 · 13/05/2023 17:29

With the more info you have provided, I’m actually wondering whether this is potentially illegal discrimination. I would recommend contacting the Epilepsy Society or Disability Rights to discuss your situation.

https://epilepsysociety.org.uk/living-epilepsy/work-employment-and-epilepsy/equality-law-and-disability-discrimination

https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/

Is it the placement or the university who has made this decision? I would consider contacting the most senior equality and diversity person in either organisation to raise this as potential discrimination.

I can think of loads of reasonable adjustments which might allow a person with epilepsy to do a clinical role.

Equality law and disability discrimination | Epilepsy Society

The Equality Act 2010 came into effect in October 2010. It replaced nine previous laws that aimed...

https://epilepsysociety.org.uk/living-epilepsy/work-employment-and-epilepsy/equality-law-and-disability-discrimination

Swipe left for the next trending thread