i would like to become a midwife?

Question

whats the best way to do this, what qualifications will i need to get into college?

Answer 1

Hi

You'd need to do a midwifery course I assume.

This should help:- http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/careers/nursing/midwife.html

Be aware though that midwives that have just gained their qualifications are finding it hard to get jobs as the area is hugely underfunded by the NHS.

Research carefully to make sure there's a chance of a job at the end of it.

Good luck!

Answer 2

i dunno if you are in UK or where, but in USA you need to pursue a nursing degree-you would need a high school diploma(or GED) and be able to pass some math and english testing first...an RN can be gotten in 2 yrscollege or 4 yrs college-same, then pass your state nursing board exams, then work as a labor and delivery RN for 2 yrs, find a hospital that has tuition reimbursement benefits, then you would proceed to get a masters in midwifery. Your title would then be Certified Nurse Midwife.
Some universities have "bridge" programs that help you get a masters more quickly once you are an RN.
Alternatively there are a few "lay midwife" courses given at private schools which give no "degree" but perhaps a certificate and set you up with a mentor with whom you would apprentice. This is a precarious position as you have no hospital priveledges, no prescriptive powers(can't write or give a prescription for a medication or test needed) and have very little medical knowledge. You may be faced with life and death decisions which you can never change. You have no octor back-up.
Some people like to use them, usually those who are fervently dedicated to home birth and feel the hospital is evil. But beware those same people are likely to sue your pants off if they dont get the healthy baby and mom they counted on in the beginning. Our culture here would like the "romance" of going back to a simpler day /time, but not if it involves actually losing the life of the mother or child or having a brain damaged child as used to be the case in those days.Also some illegal drug users and child abusers like to use home birth as a way to fly under the radar of governmental agencies.
If you would be in an extremely remote rural area or a third world country, it might make sense.
You could compromise and become a "doula"- a mothers helper in labor delivery( at home or birthing center or hosp) and at home in the first few days/weeks after birth. You get some training and learn on the job how to support women but you have no medical authority no medical responsibilities, hence very little legal liability.

Answer 3

I would also warn that it is seriously underpaid - midwives, even those who have been working 5-10yrs get insulting levels of pay. However, to get into the profession you would need the following:
To qualify as a registered midwife it is necessary to achieve one of the following:

To gain entry onto an approved course you need to satisfy some general requirements set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). These include:

Providing evidence of your literacy and numeracy, good health and good character, and recent successful study experience
meeting the minimum age requirement for training - 17.5 years old in England, 17 in Scotland, and 18 in Northern Ireland and Wales agreeing to undergo a criminal records bureau check; however, a criminal conviction does not automatically exclude you from working in the NHS.

You would then need to take one of the following, they each have different entry criteria:

a Diploma of Higher Education in Midwifery
a Degree in Midwifery
a Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing (adult branch) followed by a 12-18 month midwifery conversion course.

Answer 4

Depends Where you are, I'm in Scotland and studying nursing at the moment we have been told not to go down the path of midwifery as it is really hard to get a job, but if you are in down south the i think it is much easier to get a job. You can do an access course that gets you an interview at university.The access course is 1 year the 3 years at uni.

Answer 5

You have to do an access course first in health. This takes one year then you apply to Uni you might be entitled to a bursary to help with finance.

Answer 6

Go you!

You will need the ability to beat the living cráp out of doctors, because they are useless, pathetic, cumbersome, lazy and dangerous, and need to know their place. Midwives rule. Other than that, I'm sorry to say I know nothing. All the best!

Answer 7

good luck to you, it's a noble profession and there aren't enough Midwives out there. I hope you manage to get to become one, must be such a rewarding job

Answer 8

i am very unsure about this but i would think you willhave topractice in a very rual area, or third world country to be sugsessful. you are undertakingoneofthe mose responsible professions in the world you know. please give thi occupation very serious soulsearching thought before you proceed, good luck, snd if you doi admire you

Answer 9

Good Luck - I couldn't think of anything worse. The thought of childbirth freaks me out..i'm putting it off for as long as I can!