Midwifery?

Hi, I'm thinking of applying for either Nursing or Midwifery (for 2010 entry, im in year 12 at the moment).

I think I would prefer midwifery over nursing, but sadly can't do any midwifery experience until im 18 (the application closing date is way before my 18th birthday). I have a couple of questions:

is the average age of the students very high?? Because I've heard that the majority are older women, and there isn't many school leavers?

do you enjoy it?

and if you have had to make the decision between nursing or midwifery, how did you choose??

Thanks!

Reply 1

katiemiranda

hiya, i'm in the same position as you, but i'm going to have a gap year so i'll be 2011 entry.

i think it attracts alot of mature students, but it still has quite a few undergraduates (like us).
the good thing is, even though it's a really competetive course, we can apply to 5 unis so we're likely to get at least one offer, whereas alot of the other applicants have to only apply to one or two unis because they have family commitments and responsibilities.

try asking an independant midwife for work experience, and also see if there are any ante-natal classes etc in your area you can go to. the uni's know how hard it is to get specific experience, so they just like to see relevant experience... working with people of all ages, etc.

try going on http://www.studentmidwife.net/
it's got a really good forum...

Reply 2

KatieCookie

I went to a few open days last week for Midwifery and im a young one! There were ALOT of mature students but i dont think you should be put off by it. Im also in the same situation, i emailed the volountary work coordinator in my area only to find out the only volountary work i can do (as im under 18) is meeting and greeting in reception - which in my view is not relevant at all! :smile:

I think also the main difference between nursing and midwifery is that nursing is across the age ranges, the people you care for have a range of short term and long term illnesses which need to be catered for, A midwives main duty is looking after pregnant women and supporting their families. If you do nursing, you could always top it up with a 18 month midwifery programme and their are alot more places in nursing! Lol hope that helps x

Reply 3

*Freckles*

Im in the same situation. I am torn between nursing and midwifery. I dont have any experience and i have sent a email to the nhs in my area hopefully to get a few days working in a maternity unit.

i am going to apply for 5 unis and hope i get somewhere. I hope they wont favour mature students over me. no offence to anyone.

Reply 4

Cannonball

If you really want midwifery then go for that. But being on a maternity ward etc isn't the only relevant experience you can get.

Try lots of experience with young children..

Bare in mind though you can still go into that field via adult nursing

Reply 5

Cannonball

*Freckles*

A person would not get a place over another applicant simply because of their age.
They need to know that you are fully committed to their course and know what it entails - thus you wont drop out.

If you have no experience how do you know this is the career for you?

It just so happens for mature individuals have the right experience etc

Reply 6

*Freckles*

I have had brief experience working in a care home and in the community plus i come from a family have have worked in care and nursing, so i know about that.
Midwifery is what i find interesting, the whole process of pregnancy ,etc.

Im just not sure whether to go into adult nursing first then i could do the 18th month course in midwifery.

At first i always considered do adult nursing then hoping to specilse in diabetes or epilepsy as it runs in my family and have personal experince of that then on the other hand midwifery.

Sorry for my awful spelling.

Reply 7

katiemiranda

KatieCookie

If you do nursing, you could always top it up with a 18 month midwifery programme and their are alot more places in nursing! Lol hope that helps x

NOOOOO

. Do not attempt this if you are completely sure you want to be a midwife. They're trying to fade out the 18 month conversion. Good luck with your applications guys, I've decided that if I still want to do it when I'm older, it's something I'll persue then.

Also, I got work experience with an independant midwife, google them and find one in your area. You'll need to be able to answer alot of questions from them before they'll take you on, so make sure you understand exactly what an independant midwife is etc

Reply 8

Tinks_81

Whatever you decide, do not apply for both as you will not get in any. For both courses they like to see that you are commited to one and not either/or.
Midwifery is a totally different career/course to nursing. Its generally harded but you end up with a different qualification upon completion of a nursing and midwifery degree.

I would definately say you need to decide before you start writing your personal statement for uni as it cannot be directed at both.

HTH someone.

Reply 9

CourtyJade

Hi everyone,
not sure if anyone still talks on this thread but I'm in a really tricky position, i cant decide between Children's nursing and midwifery. i have always wanted to be a nurse my entire life but the baby aspect is what interests me the most, i eventually want to work on neo-natal but obviously first have to be a qualified nurse or midwife. i am currently writing my personal statement and i am struggling with it so much because i cant actually say which profession in the statement as I'm applying for both, i know most peoples solution would be to just pick one and don't apply for both but i cant. I'm really worried that i may not get into midwifery as they mostly take on older applicants and both are extremely competitive, i know this I'm just kind of looking for some advice. :frown:

Reply 10

lilibet01

if you want to work with babies and neo-natal, then Child Branch is the way to go. Midwifery is about women, not the babies.

Reply 11

CourtyJade

Original post by lilibet01

if you want to work with babies and neo-natal, then Child Branch is the way to go. Midwifery is about women, not the babies.

very true but its is also children up to age 16...

Reply 12

lilibet01

are you saying midwives look after children up to age 16? If so, you're incorrect. Children's nurses look after babies and children.

Reply 13

CourtyJade

No I was agreeing with what you said about children's nurses look after babies and children not midwives but I added to it that children's nurses look after children up to the age of 16 not just babies which is what I am wanting to do ...

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Reply 14

moonkatt

Original post by CourtyJade

If you study midwifery you'll spend the vast amount of your time looking after adults.

Reply 15

lilibet01

oh ok, sorry, I misread it. You could specialise in neonatal once you've qualified as a children's nurse.

Reply 16

CourtyJade

Yeah I know that's my end goal just not sure what I want to do before I get there

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Reply 17

LaurenDavies47

Hey, im in the exact same position! Applied for midwifery last year and got declined because of the lack of experience! through taking a gap year i have been researching midwifery and looked into child nursing branch as an alternative, so now im stuck between both of them. Just finishing my personal statement at the moment almost ready to send but im so worried im being too vague because i cant even name the course!

Reply 18

_LC

Omg! That is the exact same problem I had! I think that's why University of Greenwich declined my application because I wasn't able to even name the course... I really wanted to go there as well. Where are you thinking of applying to?

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