Career Change - Help Needed

Agatha

Hi all,

This is my first post, I am 36 yrs old and looking at possible redundacy, so have decided to use this opportunity to change my career to one that I will never face this situation again.

MIDWIFERY - however not an easy option it seems as I have been advised to do an access course, then on to Uni for 3 years, no problem but as the main wage earner in our household of £50,000 pa - I'm scared as our income will reduce to £14,000 pa.

I have a 18 yr old son applied to be a CSO, I have a 16yr old daughter at College and a 14 yr old son at school.

In need of help reference finance and application etc. into this career, also as I have never not worked or claimed any benefits, not sure what to claim ie working tax credits etc.

Agatha

studentmidwife

Hi Agatha

I'm also 36 with 2 children and I'm a 2nd year student midwife. Finance wise the tuition fees are paid by the NHS and I get a means tested bursary, 85% towards my childcare costs and a student loan of around £2100 per year. We also get tax credits as the bursary doesn't count as income for tax credits purposes.

Try these 2 websites http://www.nhsstudentgrants.co.uk/ and http://www.studentmidwives.co.uk/phpBB3/index.php .

Good luck with whatever you decide and let me know if you have any questions .

clairec79

I qualified as a midwife last year, funding wise it is pretty good (I'm in Wales so we get a non-means tested bursary (I think the basic is aroun £5000 a year, with extra if you have dependents), after the first year I did a bank shift as an NA each week which gave some extra cash (so much for study days - I did the academic side when the kids were in bed)

However if you are considering midwifery make sure you are 100% sure that it is what you want to do, it does take over for your three years training, it is emotionally, mentally (and at times) physically draining - you feel guilt whenever anything goes wrong - even when it's not your fault, if something serious does happen the midwife gets it in the neck not the doctor (for example something happened last year I got told off for not going above the doctors head when reassured everything was fine despite the fact that I had got sister in charge, SHO and registrar all to review it because I wasn't happy I didn't get the consultant - hmm middle of the night on a bank holiday to say 'everyone says it's fine but I've got a nagging feeling in my stomach' wouldn't have gone down well - hm may have unresolved issues on that one - and to know the woman still has 24 and a bit years to sue me if she chooses) - but having said all that I love midwifery and can't imagine being happy in any other job, but you have to be extremely sure it is right to suceed and make it through the training it's got a very high drop out rate - we were told 10% would drop out, 10% get divorced and 10% get pregnant (we actually had higher figures for the first two and those of us who are still with our partners did go through tough times)

I don't mean to put you off though, if that voice in your head is telling you midwifery and won't shut up then go for it - if you have any questions just ask

Agatha

Studentmidwife,

Many thanks for the information, I have loads of questions:-

As I left school at 16yrs, I did not do my A levels so have to do an access course, I was thinking of working while studying, as I was hoping that this would support my application, due to the fact that I have been in contact with all 4 local Uni's and they confirmed that they have over 400 applicants in some cases for 70 places!!!

When I spoke to the tutor to say she was unhelpful was an understatement, did you have any of these issues??

I will make it if it kills me :-)

Thanks again

Agatha

Hi ClareC79,

Thanks for the truthful words...... my job at present rules my life 24hrs a day and it's not life changing, I get a good salary but at the expensive of my health and family as the stress levels of reaching £2m of new business in 2009 - I think my company do not read newspapers!!!! as in the Midlands the recession has hit really bad.... I have been working in my industry for over 20 years, it was never an ambition, I always wanted to work in nursing but upon leaving school went straight to work, and the money took over, my teenagers think I'm mad but this is something that I have always wanted to do and after working in residential and nursing home care while my children were babies, I would much prefer to be at the begining than at the end of the nursing needs.....

I am sure that you will not be sued, I suffered very badley on the birth of my second child due to a student midwife not having any support and the Doctor not reading my notes.... but she is a beautiful 16 year old, and we are both here and happy :-) (dont worry)

Agatha x

studentmidwife

Hi Agatha

Do you live in the Midlands? Which uni's are you looking at? Most of the 'mature' girls did an access course but I did Open University - Understanding Health and Social Care. Not all uni's accept it on its own but my local uni did. I didn't have any issues with unhelpful tutors but I know the girls on the Access course were constantly being told that they had no chance of getting into Midwifery because its so competitive and 'encouraged' to apply for Nursing instead.

Its true that its hard to get onto the course but not impossible. I got offered 3 places and I had no nursing or care experience (was a bookkeeper before). You need to be confident in why you want to be a midwife, know the role, be aware of how demanding the course is and have very good family support. As Clare said there is a high drop out rate. We started with 54 and are down to 41 now!

If its what you really want go for it and don't let anyone put you off. I love it and can't imagine doing anything else now .

Agatha

Hi Studentmidwife,

I have made contact with Birmingham/Coventry/Wolverhampton & Walsall to date and I have applied to Sutton College reference the access course.

I have been in contact with all the above Uni's reference open days, as I would just like a guide on what they are looking for in mature students.

My current position is Far East Development Manager - (I sell space if you ask my children!) from and to the Far East by Air & Sea to all major retailers in the UK, it does not have a cut off as the company supply a fantasic tool a Blackberry!!! 24/7 I can be reached by phone/text or email 365 days a year!!!

Now I am under so much stress, awaiting the date of my redunancy.....

I understand that there will be times when I find it hard, but all I think at present is that in 48 months I will be there......(I am determined)

I am so pleased that you are enjoying your training only 12 months and you will be a qualified "Midwife" :-)

Thanks for your help and support.

Agatha

clairec79

That sounds about right with applicants:places (when I applied it as 30 applicants per place) but someone has to get in and why not you?

Don't forget in that will be people who just don't meet the criteria (qualifications etc) those who do the 'OMG you have to look down THERE?' who are never going to get a place.

Make sure when you fill in the personal statement you acknowledge midifery isn't all sweetness and light, the downs are worse than any other jobs (I completely lost it the first (and only) time I had to write 'no signs of life at birth'.

I had Alevels so just had to do recent study and did a evening course, but several of those I trained with did access - if you can do it part time that's great.

HellsGranny

Expectant mums like to have a midwife who has 'been there, done that' with regard to having children herself, so you have an advantage there straight away.

It isn't just the young and pretty who get on in Midder, mature women with life experience are very valued, especially by first time mums!

Go for it and good luck with your career change.

Scousebird_2

Hi,

Midwifery is a VERY competitive sector-moreso than standard RGN training. I work in a hospital in Liverpool and we do not have a Midwifery dept so sadly I cannot do my Midwiery training with my trust-however I know people that do and they absolutley love it-but like people have said-it is physically draining!

An NHS Bursary can help with costs towards your your course but sadly not all of it-but you may be able to join your hospitals (local) nursing bank and work as a Healthcare Assistant/Clinical Support Worker/Aux Nurse in which you need no formal training to do. I currently work as an HCA and the going rate for unqualified is £6.60ph-and this rises with more experience. But it is a fantastic way in-particularly if you get a role in the Women's and Children's Directorate-you will get to know people and may even get knowledge on any positions that may arise when you are qualified, so you can apply straight away.

Goodluck with whatever you decide and all the best in your new career!

studentmidwife

Agatha wrote: »

Hi Studentmidwife,

I have made contact with Birmingham/Coventry/Wolverhampton & Walsall to date and I have applied to Sutton College reference the access course.

I have been in contact with all the above Uni's reference open days, as I would just like a guide on what they are looking for in mature students.

My current position is Far East Development Manager - (I sell space if you ask my children!) from and to the Far East by Air & Sea to all major retailers in the UK, it does not have a cut off as the company supply a fantasic tool a Blackberry!!! 24/7 I can be reached by phone/text or email 365 days a year!!!

Now I am under so much stress, awaiting the date of my redunancy.....

I understand that there will be times when I find it hard, but all I think at present is that in 48 months I will be there......(I am determined)

I am so pleased that you are enjoying your training only 12 months and you will be a qualified "Midwife" :-)

Thanks for your help and support.

Agatha

I'm at Birmingham City Uni and had an interview and got offered a place at Wolves so let me know if you need any advice when you get to the application/ interview stage . BCU take the Open University course (K100) which only takes a year and can be done part time at home. Have you got Maths and English GCSE's?

good luck