Should I continue my career path in healthcare?

[Studentmidwife101]

I’m about to start university in September as a mature student for Midwifery. I am not so sure now, if I am actually making a mistake. I want to work with people in a healthcare setting however it has been made aware to me that nursing or midwifery has many cons. It would be lovely to get some advice from mumsnet.

Is there another career that would suit me better as I suffer with anxiety. I want to work with women or children however if the career was office based I would be happy to work with men. I was thinking about switching to Psychology, that way I would not be working on a ward for 12 hours. I am not sure what the career path would be for mental health services, I did used to have CBT therapy and that was with a Psychotherapist. I looked up the career path and it mentioned getting a licence and registration of some sort. I love women's health however I would prefer to see women in a clinic or meeting environment such as home visiting and with midwifery I don’t think that’s possible. I am aware that most midwife jobs are rotational, which means that you have to transfer around once every year to keep up your clinical skills. For example one year in the community and then the next year could be labour ward and the next could be the antenatal clinic.

It would mean 12 hour night shifts when I’m 50 years old, I look to the future and wonder if I really won’t regret this choice. Im only 29 at the moment and still haven’t had my own children. If you could give me some career ideas, I can do some further research over the next couple of months. I have already completed an access course in Midwifery it was an 18 month part time course. Could this be used for entrance into a different course?

Thank you 😊

From what you have said it doesn't sound as thought midwifery is for you. I think it's a highly stressful job due to the responsibility it carries however can also be highly rewarding. However you do need to be prepared to work unsocial hours and shift work.

Have you thought of being a health visitor? More regulated hours and working with women and children? Perhaps you can develop an interests in for example being a lactation consultant and marry the two together.

Whilst not having children should not hinder you (after all I don't think Supernanny Jo Frost has any kids); some things are more relatable after having children

What about occupational Therapy, physio or podiatry or dietetics?

I am at uni studying for my podiatry degree and it I love it.

There are also things like play therapy/ art therapy, speech therapy.

I wouldn't switch to Psychology, an undergraduate degree will not qualify you to do anything until you have done a post grad, and getting on these are notoriously difficult.
Nursing and Midwifery are quite stressful occupations in all honesty. Occupational Therapy is a good suggestion, lots of opportunities to work with both children and adults and very positive and satisfying in that the work is solving problems creatively.
Good luck

It sounds like you would enjoy a community post working in perinatal mental health services. You want to work with women but in office hours. You may have to do odd weekend on rota but mainly Monday to Friday job.

You would need to apply for mental health nursing and take it from there. There are many community posts available now compared to years ago when I was still practicing.

As already pointed out studying psychology does not give you a vocation, following a degree
In psychology you then go into specialist training which is highly competitive
Mental health nursing is a great, but expect shift work, ward based work as well as community placements throughout your 3 year training

Yes, of course as with any nursing course you will need to do the shift work initially but it's a short term pain for long term gain to reach your end goal if this was the path you were thinking of.

NHS has a dire shortage of allied health professionals so a degree in occupational therapy, podiatry or physiotherapy may appeal. More chance to be community based and avoid shift work.

@Dancingdreamer

NHS has a dire shortage of allied health professionals so a degree in occupational therapy, podiatry or physiotherapy may appeal. More chance to be community based and avoid shift work.

Speech and Language therapy as well - there's a lot of psychology content we covered on my course in the first year, and also lots of child development work as well.

Definitely consider other allied health professions. Your access course is proof of lvl 3 study with a good chunk of science and will be valid for other courses, not just midwifery.

Midwifery is tough, both as a student and when qualified. The attrition rate when training is high, I think over 30% last time I looked. You’ve got to be very emotionally resilient to cope. I’m honestly not sure I’d recommend it for someone with anxiety issues though I’m aware some people with anxiety might be fine. But yes, 13 hour shifts are a killer.