How can I train as a midwife

[mollymcguire]

As the title says! No qualifications I'm a mammy, worked all my life in non skilled jobs but it's always been my dream to train as a midwife! Oh can I also add I'm old!! 37! No UK school exams but Irish leaving cert if that makes any odds

• local govt

Oops wrong thread

At the moment you become a midwife on a degree programme so to apply for that you would need an access course to show you are able to undertake that level of study then you could apply to the degree.

They are opening up an apprenticeship route next year but I think the entry requirements may be similar to getting on to the degree so you would probably still need to do an access course before applying. Details aren't clear yet so if this is something you really want you need to watch for the announcements.

@OddBoots thank you for posting that! Sorry to jump on your thread OP, I've always wanted to be a midwife too and would love to go down the apprenticeship route.

Any idea of what qualifications might be necessary? Maths and English I assume? Or just an access course?

Firstly look at the education requirements for college based access to higher education courses (health professions or science professions). You’ll need at least GCSE English, Maths and Science at grade C or above. If you haven’t got the GCSEs you’ll have to do them before you can apply for the access course.

Then look at university midwifery degree education requirements, which will want the GCSEs (some universities require the GCSE grades at B or above) along with the access to higher education.

My advice was for England, it’s different in Ireland.

www.nmbi.ie/Careers-in-Nursing-Midwifery/Becoming-a-Nurse-Midwife.aspx

@chickhonhoneybabe you wouldn't need all that for the apprenticeship though would you? That's if you go university route is it?

WakeUpFromYourDreamAndScream Yes it’s the uni route, however I would expect the apprenticeship will require the GCSEs as a minimum, and assume the course/apprenticeship will be at least a level 4 higher education course which is the next level up from the access course.

A midwifery apprenticeship would be a level 6 (degree) level, that is about as much as is known right now.

[https://haso.skillsforhealth.org.uk/standards/#standard-1649]]

haso.skillsforhealth.org.uk/standards/#standard-1649 even

I think regardless of it being an apprenticeship/degree equivalent course it will still need a level 3 qualification (access to higher education, or level 3 diploma) and the GCSEs to be able to enrol on it.

Level 3 qualification would include A levels

Qualification levels

www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels

Thank you both that's really helpful, I think I'll do the access course this year then in preparation for this apprenticeship

As well as level 3 I will need relevant work experience in health and social care. Xxx good luck

Entry to the degree is highly competitive, mainly because of inaccurate perceptions of the role. Relevant work experience is vital. Also consider the impact of working shifts while completing the academic aspects of the programme (nights,weekends and bank holidays).

Sorry to be negative (disgruntled burnt out old midwife with 22 yrs under her belt)

OP - I'm considering doing this in 5 years once kids are at school which would make me 40s. Currently I'm just doing some volunteer work on the maternity ward to get some experience and check it's the environment I want to be in as I'm aware it's going to be a big sacrifice on the family if I do the full time course (or apprenticeship that's mentioned). Could you enquire with your local hospital if you could get some experience that way first to help with your application?

NML2286 what sort of work are you allowed to do on the ward as a volunteer? x

I am so so sorry to jump on your post OP. If there are any midwives on this post who fancy giving some free advice, can you please check out my oligohydramnios post on ante natal tests board please? I'm losing the plot.

Crunchie14 I haven't started yet but I think it's just helping out with basic things like lunch orders/fresh water and just having a chat with the new mamas to give a bit of bedside manner that the midwives are just too busy to do. They don't like too much patient contact but if no midwives are around and a mum needs to go to the toilet etc then you may hold the baby for them etc. I think it can lead onto HCA roles which then can involve more clinical things like taking obs etc

Make sure it's the correct Access course. Some (all?) uni's only take the specific 'Entering Midwifery' access course as an entry requirement. Check with the uni you'd want to do your degree.
Some uni's offer taster courses- DeMontfort used to.