I am going to apply for a midwifery course, hopefully to start 09. what can you tell me

[thesockmonsterofdoom]

I am going to phone the university later and find out about the application process, I am hoping that I have not missed the deadline for next year.
I did my english and maths gcse 3 years ago when my dd1 was born so i would be ready to apply and I have all the basic requirements.
Do you get a bursary to cover fees? how do you find out about other bursarys?
I am a breastfeeding peer support councellor, is it worth mentioning this in the application?
And can anyoe tell me anything about life on this course with a young family?
What are the chances of getting work at theend of the course?

I'm in similar boat myself, as will be applying for midwifery '09 too. You won't have missed the deadline (which I believe is the beginning of January), so plenty of time left. As long as you meet the residency requirements the NHS will fund your course. You will also be eligible to apply for a means tested bursary ann potentially childcare allowance. Look here .

I think the fact that you are a breastfeeding peer support will be a fantastic thing to put on your application - definitely mention it! I would have liked to have become one myself, but haven't had time due to being on an access course.

As for what it's like being on the course as well as having young children - I obviously can't help you with that one; but I am told it's bloody hard work. I think the prospects vary depending on which trust you'll be working for - I know in some areas midwives are really struggling to find positions, yet in others there's not so much of a problem.

Good luck .

you too, I have spent the day trying to find out everything I can, I think we are action stations.

Can anyone help me with this one. I have been trying to get the info and all Im coming up with is nursing. I am in East London. I have GCSE and 150points at uni level.

HI,
obviously a good idea to contact the Uni you want to apply too, and if there are open days, go to one of those and talk to someone....it can help you, or in my experience it seems to have helped and they will also be able to tell you if you do have all the things they are looking for...they might want proof of more ecent study, etc...but this is the time to find out

However, the real application process is over UCAS.
Midwifery is a NHS funded course, and there are some burseries, etc...available....depending on circumstances, etc...

obvously not all Unis offer midwifery...wouldn't know why no midwifery would come up for you, tbh....

\link[http://www.london.ac.uk/coursesearch/results2.php?title=midwifery&level_id=2&Submit=%3E\look here]

\link[http://www.city.ac.uk/study/courses/communityhealth/midwifery-bsc.html\ or here]

\link[http://www.hotcourses.com/pls/hot_sys/aff_hc_search.adv_col_do\ or here the combination of all london universities that have midwifery undergraduate courses on offer]

look here

or here

or here the combination of all london universities that have midwifery undergraduate courses on offer

hm...the last link is a bit odd...just, once you get there, go into undergraduate and search for midwifery, etc...

Hi,
I'm considering this too - I met a girl who's just started training in South London and loves it. But I know you are very quickly put into a hospital to train 'on the job' and it is VERY hard work apparently (my paediatric nurse friend tells me) and a tough climate post training for midwives too.
I looked at the NHS's website for the midwifery training info - most people get bursaries, apparently.

AA

Hello

You will only get a non-means tested bursary if you are doing a diploma, degrees are means tested. And they are trying to make courses degree only.

You are required to do a set amount of clinical hours per year to qualify (set by the NMC) so if you're sick, you have to make them up. And holidays are set (2 weeks Xmas and Easter, 3 weeks summer)...my husband had a rude awakening when I started my course: he had visions of me lounging around like a 'traditional' student. You will often have exams and written work due in just after the holidays too (nice touch).

I worked full-time for years (with two children) before I started the course, and it still came as a real shock - and many of us nearly gave up. You have to have rock solid childcare (prepare to do shifts starting 0715 through to 2045, sometimes later).

Can you tell I recently came out the other end! Sorry to highlight the negative, but it was hard (lots of tears and wet patches).
The positive is I made some fab friends and has given me a whole new career that sure beats sitting at a desk (well I still do that, but in scrubs). I'm sure my colleague Snaf will be along in a mo' to add her perspective.

Thanks for that Spillage, I have been swotting up in case I get an interview, phoned Uni today and they said I should here in a couple of weeks.
Childcare will only have to be organised around dh's working day as that is set. Trying not to think to hard about that aspect as it is scary but I am so excited.
At the Uni I have applied to you get an extra 3 weeks flexi in the summer to make up any time that you may have missed through the year.
I am not very good at waiting so desperate to hear something atm.

hi there 'm a first year student midwife. good luck with your application. It is very tough to get onto the course as there are lots of applicants for a small amount of places. I can only echo what spillage21 said childcare has to be totally flexible and you will be ex orpected to fit around the hospital shifts which can be earlys, lates nights and 12 hour shifts.
this website is fantastic for info www.studentmidwives.co.uk/phpBB3/index.php

I'm now in my third year with 2 under 5s. (one of whom was born during the course). What can I say? I already have a degree but undertook a Human Biology A Level to get on the course, most of the other girls had done an Access Course. Competition for places is phenomenal but someone gets the place so it might as well be you. You will have to be flexible with childcare as will your DH, his life will change beyond measure, as will yours. It is a real head f**k at times as you will feel useless, wonderful, stupid and on top of the world in the space of about 5 minutes. But, it is as they say, the best job in the world. Not for the faint hearted though, you will have to be single minded at times and put your course and complete strangers before your children and DH. I love it though, and would never want to do anything else. Good luck!

Glad I found this thread have been thinking about this for a long time, the local uni (10 mins away) does a 3 year degree course.

I know places are very limited and the waiting list is 2-3 years long so was thinking of applying next year as DD1 and 2 will be in school by August next year and DD3 will be 2 at least before I would start at the best although I expect it to be nearer 4.

The thing is do you think I am mad even to consider it, DP is out the house 6.30am to 6.30pm 5 days a week, some days it's closer to 7pm although this should be a bit more flexible if he were to get his own car. I have absolutely no family support so childcare would need to be outsourced completely.

IIt is my dream to study to become a MW, I really really wish I had done it when I was younger, I have a BSc in Microbiology already but gave up work 4 years ago to have DC.

Another midwifery student here just approching the end of my first yr. I have 3 primary age kids and a DH who works and hour away in the opposite direction and is occassionally away. Zero family support. However despite all that things have fallen into place quite nicely. Have not had any crises yet despite an hours drive to uni/work. At the moment I am leaving the house at 5.30am! It is hard going. The course work seems to come all at once. I often feel guilty or that I am not doing as well as I should be. But I am managing to get through and loving it!

Just to clarify a few points. I had to wait a year for a place once I'd been accepted so don't expect to start straight away. But they do phone people on the reserve list at the last minute so be prepared. I was on the last intake for the diploma which meant a guarenteed bursary. From now on its all degree and all means tested.

Most of the girls on my course have done the access course. The personal statement is the most important bit. Put anything relevent in here. It means a lot!

Most have a lot of family support. Am dead jealous but we do manage. Although I couldn't do it without the support of some bloomin good friends.

Job prospects are improving. Gov keeps promising more midwives and more money. It can be tough especially in certain areas but loads of midwives are due to retire and the birthrate keeps rising so I am hopeful about the future.

If its what you really want then go for it....

Just found out today that I've got a place at my local uni to start the midwifery degree in September. I'm over the moon as I've been wanting to do this for a very long time. I've got 3 kids - will be 4,6,8 when I start. My husband is out the house very early. My search for the perfect childcare starts Monday! But I just think if you want it badly enough, it'll work out. You can worry about whether it's the right time, whether your children will suffer etc - and I've been through all those thought processes, but in the end this is something I have to do, it's going to make me happier, more fulfilled and so - I'm hoping - a better mum and someone my kids can look up to. Best of luck to those applying or thinking of applying - like others have said, the personal statement is key and the more experience and understanding of midwifery you can show the better. There are lots of mums on courses and they all manage - so can we!

congrats gwap!

well done to you...hope you get childcare sorted!