Lots of questions about training to become a midwife

[Linziloop]

I apologise in advance for this being a long post, I'll try not to give you my life story but saying things the long way round seem to be my weakness!

I work full time at the moment in the financial services industry, basically a 'pen pushing' job although it is challenging and I have worked my way up over 12 years. I have two DC's, DS1 is 10 and DS2 is 3. I only had a small amount of time of on mat leave with both of them and now feel like I have chosen work over my children all this time, for a job that is basically all about making money from people to line the shareholders pockets. I have for a long time longed to work in a job that involves caring for people and making a difference as oppose to just making money, and would love to get into midwifery.

We are considering TTC for DC3 at the moment, but I have vowed that if we had another I wouldn't go back to the job I am doing now and would concentrate on being a Mum for a while. This would give me the chance to chose a completely different career when it comes to going back to work, and I am thinking a lot about training to become a midwife.

So here are my questions,

• I already have 10 GCSE's grade A-C including Maths, English & Science. I am thinking of taking A level Biology, maybe whilst on mat leave with DC3 (I know I'm planning ahead a bit here!) Is this the right route to get onto a Degree course or would I be better studying for something else? Can you do a simple Healthcare course that gives you the necessary entry level qualifications?

• I am 30 at the moment, if I have DC3 when I am 31 (assuming I have no issues TTC which I know is a big assumption), I wouldn't want to begin studying until DC3 would be at school which would make me 35ish, so realistically wouldn't be qualified until I'm around 40, is this too late? Would I be the oldest one on the course?

• I am assuming it costs a lot but I'm finding the Uni websites a bit confusing.

• Finally, I would love to here from anyone who has done it already, particularly as a complete change of career, its a scary step but I just know I would love it, I have always dreamed of a career in nursing and chose against it when I left school as I thought it wouldn't pay enough, now I wish I had just followed my heart instead of my bank balance!

Sorry for such a long post, if anyone has the patience to read through it and offer me your thoughts it would be very much appreciated! :)

I was in a different situation in that i was fresh out of college but the majority of students were mature - I was the youngest and this was 10 years ago.

I didn't finish the course; i was too young and choose to switch to a more academic course I could work alongside and actually see some of my the bf I had just met (now DH).

It is a fantastic job - on a job satisfaction level I am wistful I did not finish as I too am now desk bound BUT the course it hard, the hours are long (and in shifts) and the salary at the end does not reflect this! As long as you factor this in the rest is academic (sorry I can't help on the costs bit as its all changed).

I'm just coming up to qualification - am 38 with three DCs of similar age - youngest was 2 when I started. I had a good and lucrative office career that I gave up... It has been a huge rollercoaster for me and all around me but hopefully worth it in the end.
Age not an issue - I'm not the oldest...
To get in you would def need recent study as well as some sort of relevant work experience so good to be thinking of that..

Costs relate to loss of earnings otherwise and childcare. Fees are free and depending on household income there is a bursary as well as loan... lots of info online if you google nhs student bursaries. I also get tax credits as now single - another story!!

I am in my second year of midwifery training - best thing I've ever done! I worked in the publishing industry beforehand - I had been thinking about midwifery for a few years and when I turned 30 I just thought I'd better go for it or I'd regret it.

Have you got A levels? If not you will need to do those or an Access to Nursing and Midwifery Course, which takes a year. Have a look at various universities' entrance requirements, go to open days, contact course leaders, and see what you need to do. Whether you need work experience or not, I don't know. I had none whatsoever but I also had a very strong academic background (previous degree) and I know that helped me get onto the course. Good luck!

I did adult nursing and looking at doing a top up year to get my midwifery once i'm back off maternity leave. I did an Access to Health course to get onto the degree course, which took one year, but a lot of people with children did the 2 year course as the Access Course over one year is pretty intense. I had to get so many 'merits and distinctions' in my assignments to be able to get into university. It's quite confusing, but you should get a lot of support for applying to uni on the course. If you have a-levels it may be you don't need to do the course though. I'm 24 and was one of the youngest on the course at the time, so don't worry about your age. On my course there were people much older than you. Nursing is funded by the NHS and pretty certain Midwifery is too, so you don't pay tutition fees, you also get a means tested bursary depending on how much your family income is. You can also apply for student loans, which personally i did, as the bursary isn't alot of money and it covered my travel costs. Hope that answered some of your questions anyway :)

The NHS would pay your university fees and give you a bursary so it wouldn't cost you anything (everybody qualifies for at least some bursary).

That's great thanks everyone, I don't have A levels but was thinking that while I'm on mat leave I would take an A level in human biology, but sounds like its worth going to open days and speaking to some uni's first to see what their entry requirements are.

My dh is a bit sceptical of it, I think he likes the security of the job I'm in now which is also our main income, so I will need to work hard to get his buy in.

Exciting times though, and living the thought that I might be able to get out of the office rat race.

There's a website called studemidwife.net which would be a great place to start. Think they are on Facebook too.

My friend has just finished her 2nd year at 31, and did an access course as she didn't have science a levels. I remember being surprised how competitive it was - there are limited places and limited jobs at the end! Don't mean to sound negative, but there are no guarantees!

Good luck!

I did it, I've been qualified six years now.

Had an office job before so total change of career. I didn't have any relevant experience and didn't realise how competitive it is. I wrote my personal statement off the top of my head in one go as was rushing to meet the application deadline. I got a place first time, there were over 1000 applicants for 60 places. But if you have the right entry requirements and have done your research prior to an interview then you stand a good chance.

Where I trained they now require 3 Bs at a-level to get a place. But I'm sure they will accept equivalent qualifications from mature students, so things like access course, etc. every uni will have different requirements though so you must speak to the admissions officer or course tutors.

It's degree only now and course fees are paid but the bursary is means tested so how much you get will depend on your husbands salary. One thing worth thinking about is we couldn't get working family tax credit so no help towards childcare. It's is because been a student isn't counted as working. I was lucky that when I did it it was when they used to have Jon means tested bursary.

The training and the job itself isn't very family friendly. Lots of nights, weekends, Xmas, evenings. Childcare is nearly impossible unless your dh can drop kids off or pick them up due to shift times. As a student you'll pretty much be expected to work what your mentor does so no choice. As a midwife if your lucky your hospital does self rostering and you get to choose but most now do e rostering so the computer allocates your shifts. You don't always get a lot of notice of shifts either. Ours come out monthly, it's not unusual to get to the 25th of a month and still have no idea what you're working the next week.

If you can volunteer for a bit on the ward it might be good to get an idea of what the job entails. Sone hospitals will have volunteers, normally boring tasks such as bed making, taking menus round, etc

Studentmidwivessanctuary.com is a good website.