I have applied for a the midwifery degree course and need to make myself chosen out of 400 people. HELP!?

Question

The local uni is stopping the course after this years intakes so I really need them to choose me. I am on the 'preparation to nursing and midwifery course' at the moment. I am in my second year and have gained a level 2 (GCSE) in 'health studies' and a level 3 (A LEVEL) in Physiology. I am doing two more level 2's and another level 3 this year all of which are health related. At school I got 7 GCSE's at C or above. I have applied to my local hospital for voluntary work but the man who deals with the applications has left and somebody new is taking over later this month.

Getting a place on the course would mean soooo much to me. Any suggestions what else I can do to make me stand out (serious replies please)

Answer 1

You're already off to a really good start, and the voluntary work should really be enough to clinch it, that's a very good move.

I'm doing a course at the moment that has 5 applicants per place. In my interview the course director asked why he should choose me over the other 4 people who wanted my place and I told him that I'd had a long time to think about it and I was absolutely certain that this was what I wanted to do, therefore I was going to be a lot more productive than someone who wasn't really that dedicated.

He wrote in my acceptance letter that what he liked about me was my determination, so just let him know how much you want this. That combined with all your experience and extra-curricular stuff should do the trick.

Answer 2

If you cannot get voluntary work at the hospital, try your GP. Many practices monitor pregnant women within the ractice. They may also have contacts with a comunity midwife.

Don't forget to point out on your application that you are local. That means the uni do not need to offer you accomodation, you are not going to leave because you are homesick or get lost on the way to a lecture.

You can also truthfully state that being a midwife would benefit your own community.

Depending on where you live you could do a short course in a community language, urdu, chinese, welsh, British Sign Language (if you don't already have a second language) as a midwife you will be dealing with women of all cultures not all of whom speak english so a community language shows you are commited to providing a good service.

Get in touch with some support groups, for disabled parents, parents of disabled children, parents osf still born children or even your local nursery and ask to speak to some of the parents. How were they treated by the midwife? what was good or bad and could they offfer any advice to improve the service - you could possibly link this in with your studies but you can certainly put it in your application form that you conducted a survey amongst group X and found out Y.

Back to the cultural thing get in touch with religeous and / or cultural groups and ask about what they want. If you know that a muslim baby should have a male relative whisper parts of the Koran in it's ear you can refer to it at interview.

OK maybe you don't want to do all of these things but assuming your qualifications are the same as other peoples and your application is looked at the fact you have researched your topic and looked at the negative side of chilbirth and can offer some aditional skills will get you an interview.

When you get to interview take with you your study, spiral bound and any other supporting evidence, a letter from your GP that you have heled at the clic etc.

finally good luck

Answer 3

Hello,

I liked your question, well after reading your posting I think you have already made very good progress in the right direction. Yes! OK qualifications & studies are very important and so is the voluntary work you've applied to do.

I think your in danger of almost trying to hard?? I know that might sound abit weird but its entirely possible. Why? because its possible to trip yourself up by wanting this place on the degree couse too much, or coming across to the selection people as desperate. If you appear desperate then this might well come across as a negative personal trait (quality).

**Apart from getting the hands on experience (as much as you can) in the hospital environment. Its VERY VERY important that you also consider what kind of individual qualities & characteristics you have as person. That would make you suitable to be a nurse or midwife?

** For Example:- do you know how you would respond in a crisis or under extreme levels of stress. How would you deal with injured people in the aftermath of a car or plane crash if you were one of the first people to arrive on the scene?

**do you know how would you cope with the sight of ALOT of blood or bleeding?

**have you ever been into a hospital operating theatre during a live operation?

**Have you ever seen how relatives of a patient deal with the worst news, of the death of a loved one? and how might you respond if you did?

**Have you ever been present at a live birth? or seen a dead body or touched a dead body? how would you respond, do you know?

**Much of what nurses actually do is very deeply unglamorous, I know I worked for many years along side nursing staff. However, never under esitmate how important nuses are in helping people get well again or in their healing. Nurses are vital, sometimes more so than doctors.

No matter what your qualifications, no! matter what you've studied there is absolutely no replacement for direct life experience. The experience of working in a hospital would be very good for you, stop trying to hard & stop worrying. Who you are is enough & of great value, just remember the NHS is crying out for people like you who will make good nurses & midwives.

I wish you alot of luck, you definately deserve a place on that course just remember that!

Many best wishes too you (thus as you beleive so it shall be?)
IR

Answer 4

i do no longer understand of any short classes in midwifery its a level direction yet you ought to touch your nearby anti natal dept or start centre & ask in case you are able to pass to or spend a while watching they'll particularly supply you methods you may get on the direction

Answer 5

think you've done enough already! you'll walk it!