[fishcake1972]

Hi im a full time mum at minute and im wanting to enter midwifery.Im reading all this stuff on nhs sites and not sure which way to turn or who to apply to .
Anyone going thru or gone thru the same who can offer any advice would be greatly appreciated . Thanks in anticipation

[Miss_S_83]

Hi there

I am not doing MW but nursing (orginal aim was MW though). I did a part-time Access course at Sheffield College in Health Science which was 1 day a week for 1.5yrs, but I think it's only full-time now? They also use to do it 2 eves per week over 2yrs or full time 3 days (I think) over 1 year. Failing that- other nearby colleges do it, too (or similar Access course which a friend is doing at one of the colleges- forget which- Rotherham or Doncaster or somewhere! I forget which Access course but the content is more similar to that of the uni courses for healthcare professions). All I will say is that MW is extremeley competitive, few places and the friend who is at college at mo got a volunteering position at Rotherham Hosp in the maternity bit as you really need useful experience to stand a chance (so they said). I think you have to show you really have thought about the course and career and can offer relevent experience. Worth asking the uni themselves though maybe as when I was thinking of applying it was back in 2007/8 and ended up going for Adult nursing instead xxxx Good luck


Edited to add- just looked and Hillsborough college only do full time access course (health science which is biology and chemistry), starting Sept this year. If you don't have a C or above in GCSE maths/english I think you have to do a short course alongside it to achieve that level but again best check as info may be outdated).

Unless you already have relevent Level 3 education that you could use to apply direct to uni, again not sure if they require recent education though?

A quick look on the 'whatuni.com' website tells me there is an Access to Nursing & Midwifery course at Derby college (and others but in different, parts of the country).

Also at Doncaster college- http://www.don.ac.uk/courses/full-ti...midwifery.aspx

Rotherham college seem to do P/T and F/T http://www.rotherham.ac.uk/Pages/Cou....aspx?k=access

[Nicola]

Hi

I am currently studying the Access to Nursing & Midwifery course at Doncaster College so thought I would give you some information as it might help you decide what you would like to do.

I work full time and the course modules are quite flexible as to the times which you need to be in college. When you apply for the course they invite you to sit down and look at the modules, what time they run and on what days etc. At the moment I only need to be in college Thurs 3-8pm and Fri 9am-12 so its not too disruptive!

I have an interview lined up tomorrow for Adult Nursing at Uni but I know a few people who have applied for Midwifery and as has already been said, the most valuable thing you can do is to gain experience either paid or voluntary working with midwives etc. I believe that Uni's wont even consider your application unless you can show you have experience. Failing that though, you can always use your experience as a mum to show why you are committed to the profession and why you are interested etc.

Hope this helps!

Nic xx

PS My Access course cost £850 for the one year course but if you are working and have children you may qualify for other benefits. The amount can be paid over 3 months also

[*Peaches*]

I did the Access course in 2009, and got accepted to Derby University. Unfortunately I had to reject the place due to health issues

[remyrobson]

Get some experience as others have said, you have no chance without it
Do an access course
Think long and hard about whether it is for you, it is a tough and draining job, but all the more rewarding for it. Can you manage working shifts whilst also completing assignments? The drop out rate is pretty high because people dont realise how much of a commitment it is...There is no guarantee of work at the end of training
Good luck, we need more people who are truly committed to the profession!