midwife training

[cherubtastic]

I am looking to change careers and train as a midwife but there are a few practical issues that I cant seem to clarify through NHS/RCM etc websites. They are:

1. Do you go straight into 50/50 study and placement or do you do say a year of study before you start placements?

2. Is the study time done within a Uni lecture room at all times or is it more home based learning with popping in to Uni occassionally?

3. What sort of hours can I expect from a full time course?

4. Is it possible to do the part time course if you are not already employed by the NHS?

If there is anyone in MN land who is a MW or knows of anyone doing the training who can help me out on any of these I would be really grateful

bump

Its 50/50 straight away.

Uni is pretty full on 3-5 days a week 9-5 (depending on the module you are doing) and then working at home as well, on placement you work full time and shifts if you are on a ward.

it will depend on which university you are attached to rather than the nhs trust. your local uni school of healthcare department will be able to answer those questions.

but for my area (oxon) it would be:

1)work on 2 semesters per academic year; more heavy on theory in year one and less placment hours but reverses by end of year 3.

2)each module is 12-13weeks long; approx 10 of those will be taught in a classroom, leaving a couple of spare weeks to help with study. some lectures are uploaded so you don't need to attend and can do self-directed instead

3. our students will be expected to attend college for set days (1 or 2 per week) and then will need to spend a minimum of 15hrs per week in placement (the balance shifts nearer end of final year to all placement)to get all the practice hours in. This includes working through easter and christmas holidays (school holidays. To take time off they have to pull in double shifts or work weekends.

4. part-time arrangements will all depend on the university. Ours will do this whether you arefunded through a secondment or applying for the nhs bursary.

btw am a nurse and student mentor and been attached to the same uni for 11yrs now and this has always been the case.

Thankyou Jenroy for the bump

thankyou maize and twinkletoes for the replies but dear me, they were the answers I didn't really want! Lol.

I really want to apply for the 2011 intake but was hoping it would be mostly study not shifts In the first year as I have childcare issues during 2011.

Part time learning would be ideal so it gives me hope that oxon does it twinkletoes, infact I may have to move to your area as it sounds ideal! My nearest school would be notts which is 50 miles/1.5hrs away so would be a struggle to get in all week but what must be done must be done! Will have to get on to Notts and UCAS. Many thanks for the replies.

have a look at www.studentmidwife.net as you will get loads of advice there.

I read somewhere that midwifery is a 24 hour job & so is studying it. Or along those lines, that lead to believe if I were to study midwifery I would have to be able to do 12 hour shifts/on calls/nights... is that the case? I would be studying when my partner will be a foundation year doctor & doing his own crazy shifts, & we don't have any family to pick up the odd hours in childcare...