Help!! International options after UK midwifery degree??
Hey!
I’m currently an A-level student and (haha) I’m definitely planning ahead already 😅 I’m hoping to go to uni and do a midwifery degree, but I don’t really want to stay in the UK long-term after graduating. Ideally I’d stay for around 1–2 years max (but I’m not sure if that’s realistic), or would it even be possible to move straight after qualifying?
I’m considering either Canada or the US (somewhere coastal would be amazing ), and I was actually born in Canada so I already have a Canadian passport, which I’m hoping might help. However, I’m a little unsure about how UK midwifery qualifications translate internationally, because the pathway seems quite different in Canada and especially in the US. For example, I keep seeing terms like “Certified Nurse Midwife” and “Certified Midwife”.What’s the difference between these, and where would a UK midwifery degree fit into that?
If anyone has experience with moving abroad as a UK-trained midwife (or knows someone who has), I’d genuinely really appreciate any advice. I’d love to hear how the process went, what challenges you faced, and what you would recommend in terms of the best route to take.
Thank you so much in advance! 🫶
I’m currently an A-level student and (haha) I’m definitely planning ahead already 😅 I’m hoping to go to uni and do a midwifery degree, but I don’t really want to stay in the UK long-term after graduating. Ideally I’d stay for around 1–2 years max (but I’m not sure if that’s realistic), or would it even be possible to move straight after qualifying?
I’m considering either Canada or the US (somewhere coastal would be amazing ), and I was actually born in Canada so I already have a Canadian passport, which I’m hoping might help. However, I’m a little unsure about how UK midwifery qualifications translate internationally, because the pathway seems quite different in Canada and especially in the US. For example, I keep seeing terms like “Certified Nurse Midwife” and “Certified Midwife”.What’s the difference between these, and where would a UK midwifery degree fit into that?
If anyone has experience with moving abroad as a UK-trained midwife (or knows someone who has), I’d genuinely really appreciate any advice. I’d love to hear how the process went, what challenges you faced, and what you would recommend in terms of the best route to take.
Thank you so much in advance! 🫶
Reply 1
Original post
by ToothfairyxcHey!
I’m currently an A-level student and (haha) I’m definitely planning ahead already 😅 I’m hoping to go to uni and do a midwifery degree, but I don’t really want to stay in the UK long-term after graduating. Ideally I’d stay for around 1–2 years max (but I’m not sure if that’s realistic), or would it even be possible to move straight after qualifying?
I’m considering either Canada or the US (somewhere coastal would be amazing ), and I was actually born in Canada so I already have a Canadian passport, which I’m hoping might help. However, I’m a little unsure about how UK midwifery qualifications translate internationally, because the pathway seems quite different in Canada and especially in the US. For example, I keep seeing terms like “Certified Nurse Midwife” and “Certified Midwife”.What’s the difference between these, and where would a UK midwifery degree fit into that?
If anyone has experience with moving abroad as a UK-trained midwife (or knows someone who has), I’d genuinely really appreciate any advice. I’d love to hear how the process went, what challenges you faced, and what you would recommend in terms of the best route to take.
Thank you so much in advance! 🫶
I’m currently an A-level student and (haha) I’m definitely planning ahead already 😅 I’m hoping to go to uni and do a midwifery degree, but I don’t really want to stay in the UK long-term after graduating. Ideally I’d stay for around 1–2 years max (but I’m not sure if that’s realistic), or would it even be possible to move straight after qualifying?
I’m considering either Canada or the US (somewhere coastal would be amazing ), and I was actually born in Canada so I already have a Canadian passport, which I’m hoping might help. However, I’m a little unsure about how UK midwifery qualifications translate internationally, because the pathway seems quite different in Canada and especially in the US. For example, I keep seeing terms like “Certified Nurse Midwife” and “Certified Midwife”.What’s the difference between these, and where would a UK midwifery degree fit into that?
If anyone has experience with moving abroad as a UK-trained midwife (or knows someone who has), I’d genuinely really appreciate any advice. I’d love to hear how the process went, what challenges you faced, and what you would recommend in terms of the best route to take.
Thank you so much in advance! 🫶
Hey
I would actually recommend you gain a nursing job in UK after you qualified ( yes I can see you planning ahead as you not yet at uni) and probably work in this area for at least 2-3 years minimum to gain vital nursing experience before thinking about going abroad to work.... I think it would help you better with experience behind you. Get a job as a HCA nurse as well.
Also do as much research on working abroad as a nurse so you'll know exactly what you have to have beforehand and you could get better prepared.
I'm about two & half years qualified as a adult nurse and I thought abroad immigration or working abroad somewhere like Australia 🦘 🦘 or Dubai or even Canada if things were to get extremely worse in my part of the UK or whole UK,
Original post
by ToothfairyxcHey!
I’m currently an A-level student and (haha) I’m definitely planning ahead already 😅 I’m hoping to go to uni and do a midwifery degree, but I don’t really want to stay in the UK long-term after graduating. Ideally I’d stay for around 1–2 years max (but I’m not sure if that’s realistic), or would it even be possible to move straight after qualifying?
I’m considering either Canada or the US (somewhere coastal would be amazing ), and I was actually born in Canada so I already have a Canadian passport, which I’m hoping might help. However, I’m a little unsure about how UK midwifery qualifications translate internationally, because the pathway seems quite different in Canada and especially in the US. For example, I keep seeing terms like “Certified Nurse Midwife” and “Certified Midwife”.What’s the difference between these, and where would a UK midwifery degree fit into that?
If anyone has experience with moving abroad as a UK-trained midwife (or knows someone who has), I’d genuinely really appreciate any advice. I’d love to hear how the process went, what challenges you faced, and what you would recommend in terms of the best route to take.
Thank you so much in advance! 🫶
I’m currently an A-level student and (haha) I’m definitely planning ahead already 😅 I’m hoping to go to uni and do a midwifery degree, but I don’t really want to stay in the UK long-term after graduating. Ideally I’d stay for around 1–2 years max (but I’m not sure if that’s realistic), or would it even be possible to move straight after qualifying?
I’m considering either Canada or the US (somewhere coastal would be amazing ), and I was actually born in Canada so I already have a Canadian passport, which I’m hoping might help. However, I’m a little unsure about how UK midwifery qualifications translate internationally, because the pathway seems quite different in Canada and especially in the US. For example, I keep seeing terms like “Certified Nurse Midwife” and “Certified Midwife”.What’s the difference between these, and where would a UK midwifery degree fit into that?
If anyone has experience with moving abroad as a UK-trained midwife (or knows someone who has), I’d genuinely really appreciate any advice. I’d love to hear how the process went, what challenges you faced, and what you would recommend in terms of the best route to take.
Thank you so much in advance! 🫶
Remember that healthcare professions are not necessarily transferable to other countries, both in terms of training and accreditation/professional registration, and even in the nature of the role. Some functions of midwives in the UK may be fulfilled by e.g. nurses in other countries.
Generally it's probably sensible to do a healthcare degree in the country you intend to practice in, as then the degree will specifically train you for that country's specific healthcare system. UK midwifery degrees are going to train you to be a qualified midwife in the NHS, and may not qualify you for anything in Canada or the US.
Reply 3
6
Hi, thank you so much for replying, I really appreciate you taking the time to give advice. Just to clarify (and sorry if my original post made it unclear), I’m actually a Year 13 student and I’ve applied for Midwifery, so I am already at the stage of i have applied!Also, I should mention that I was recently applying for Dentistry too, but it’s not something I want to pursue anymore due to changing ambitions and reflecting more on why I wanted to do it in the first place. I’ve realised that the area I genuinely feel drawn to is midwifery, because I want to support women through pregnancy, labour and postnatal care, and help women feel safe and confident during such an important part of their lives. I completely understand why people recommend going through nursing first and I really do respect nursing, but I’ll be honest, it isn’t the specific route I want to take. I have thought about doing midwifery in places like America/Canada, but the costs are extremely high and not really tenable for me as a student taking on that level of debt, whereas UK fees are more manageable, which is why I’m leaning towards training here. I do understand the point that healthcare degrees don’t always transfer easily between countries and I’m not trying to argue against that, but I just wanted to ask (genuinely and out of curiosity), where are you getting your information from that UK midwifery wouldn’t qualify you for anything in Canada/US? I’ve seen that some people do manage to move countries later on, even if it takes extra steps, so I was also wondering how that process usually works for people who qualify in the UK and then move abroad (for example extra exams, bridging programmes or experience requirements or anything you can do in advance ).
Thank you again for your help!💗
Thank you again for your help!💗
Original post
by ToothfairyxcHey!
I’m currently an A-level student and (haha) I’m definitely planning ahead already 😅 I’m hoping to go to uni and do a midwifery degree, but I don’t really want to stay in the UK long-term after graduating. Ideally I’d stay for around 1–2 years max (but I’m not sure if that’s realistic), or would it even be possible to move straight after qualifying?
I’m considering either Canada or the US (somewhere coastal would be amazing ), and I was actually born in Canada so I already have a Canadian passport, which I’m hoping might help. However, I’m a little unsure about how UK midwifery qualifications translate internationally, because the pathway seems quite different in Canada and especially in the US. For example, I keep seeing terms like “Certified Nurse Midwife” and “Certified Midwife”.What’s the difference between these, and where would a UK midwifery degree fit into that?
If anyone has experience with moving abroad as a UK-trained midwife (or knows someone who has), I’d genuinely really appreciate any advice. I’d love to hear how the process went, what challenges you faced, and what you would recommend in terms of the best route to take.
Thank you so much in advance! 🫶
I’m currently an A-level student and (haha) I’m definitely planning ahead already 😅 I’m hoping to go to uni and do a midwifery degree, but I don’t really want to stay in the UK long-term after graduating. Ideally I’d stay for around 1–2 years max (but I’m not sure if that’s realistic), or would it even be possible to move straight after qualifying?
I’m considering either Canada or the US (somewhere coastal would be amazing ), and I was actually born in Canada so I already have a Canadian passport, which I’m hoping might help. However, I’m a little unsure about how UK midwifery qualifications translate internationally, because the pathway seems quite different in Canada and especially in the US. For example, I keep seeing terms like “Certified Nurse Midwife” and “Certified Midwife”.What’s the difference between these, and where would a UK midwifery degree fit into that?
If anyone has experience with moving abroad as a UK-trained midwife (or knows someone who has), I’d genuinely really appreciate any advice. I’d love to hear how the process went, what challenges you faced, and what you would recommend in terms of the best route to take.
Thank you so much in advance! 🫶
The place to start your research when considering a move overseas is the country's official immigration/visa site. You will be able to find out if your profession is in demand and therefore a relatively quick route into the country (note - healthcare professions are usually very much in demand). Although you have a Canadian passport, the site is still relevant to you as it details what you need to do to work in the country while holding an overseas qualification. This is the link for Canada:
https://immigration.ca/how-to-immigrate-to-canada-as-a-physician-assistant-midwife-or-allied-health-professional/
It is likely that you will need post-grad work experience and your qualification will need to be ratified by a professional body in the country you want to move to. You might need to pass additional training in the country to obtain a licence to practice. It can be a long process but don't let it put you off applying. I've lived and worked overseas twice and it is very much worth the effort.
(edited 1 month ago)
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