Training to become a midwife and bursaries/funding

[Claire008]

I'm just looking for some insight into training to become a midwife.

I'm in my early 30s, with a 6 month old. I have a completely unrelated first degree, so it would be a whole new degree I would be undertaking. We would however like to have another little one, and plan to hopefully start trying next summer/autumn.

My current job I get barely any job satisfaction from, it is also very lonely as often my colleagues don't talk to me for sometimes weeks, although it is convenient in terms of wfh and standard mon-fri hours.

I've always wanted to be a midwife, but went to uni to do something completely different, then at uni when I wanted to change degree in my first year my previous boyfriend, who was very controlling, objected to this as he thought that I would come home after work and be covered in bodily fluids which he couldn't cope with (obviously a shower wouldn't clean off... 🤔) so I didn't manage to change degree. I left him 6yrs ago and after moving towns, settling with my now partner, getting a mortgage together, having a baby, and I'm wanting to do something job wise that feels like my calling. However as it would be a second degree I'm confused in terms of bursaries and student loans. It seems I wouldn't get either as the gov has stopped these for midwifery/and because it would be my second degree, is that correct? We have a mortgage, and I'll be going back to work part time after maternity leave so we won't have loads of money to juggle (my wage will just cover my part of the mortgage and nursery fees) which is making me think I'm going to have to wait a good few years before I can apply.

In terms of midwifery also, is it something that is possible to do part time? I'm completely fine with it being shift work, but would probably have only be able to 3 days a week due to childcare.

Thanks in advance for any advice given.

You can still get a student loan for it even though you have a degree. No bursaries any more, but there is additional financial support if you're really stuck www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/study-and-training/considering-or-university/financial-support-university

Do be really sure midwifery is what you want though. It's a really tough job and many people leave after a few years as it isn't what they thought it would be. What is it about midwifery that appeals?

Also you'll be doing shifts during placements (that can be 3 months long) so if you're having a baby that's something to consider regarding childcare.

You should contact the admissions teams of the Uni’s you’re looking to apply to. Midwifery is highly competitive to get onto despite the low numbers of midwives.

There is currently a 5K a year nursery paid termly. If it’s allied health I believe it doesn’t matter that it’s a second degree.
Theres also funding for childcare & depending on how much your partner earns you can qualify for universal credit.

You get a council tax discount as you’ll
be a student so he will class as single occupier, there’s discounts as well as the blue light card.

When you apply for jobs after will have to look at hours, it’s anything from 23 hours up to 37.5 which is 3 shifts a week then one 4 week.

Have you had any work experience? Just a word of caution that a family member has retrained as a midwife recently and is struggling very much with staffing issues, shift work, poor pay, debt from the course etc etc. She’s had to have time off sick in her first year because of this and I think she’s finding it very hard despite completing training and it being her “dream job”.

Obviously this might not happen for you. But what is it about midwifery that appeals? Is there another career you could also explore?