Training to be a Nurse / Midwife

diamondgirl007

Im hoping someone can help me!

Currently I work for a very small firm in manufacturing. I have thought for a few months of beginning a career in nursing / midwifery.

I am 29 (30 in dec:eek:) and married with one child. My husband is due to graduate on the 13th July with a first class degree. It started me on the road thinking I would also like to do something with my life.

I came out of school with 10 GCSE's at grades B-D but I only achieved an E in maths. I know I would need to re-sit some sort of maths course but Im confused as to which?

I also have an NVQ levels 2 & 3.

I am awaiting dates to attend opening days at university/college for info, but I was wondering if any of you have been there before and can give me any pointers on which way im headed? Ideally I'd like to do children's nursing with a view to possibly training further in midwifery.

My other dilemma is will there be a job for me in x years time, a question I fear will only be answered when/if I qualify!

Thanks:)

Oldernotwiser

Your best bet is to look at Access courses at your local college and to take your GCSE in Maths alongside this.

saverholic

Since you would be classed as a mature student you may get away with doing an equivalent course instead of resitting your maths GCSE e.g. National Test for Numeracy at Level Two

Consider contacting/ringing the admission tutors for nursing/midwifery at a local uni to ask what qualifications they would accept, they should be able to offer useful pointers.

Good luck and congratulations to your OH :T on his degree

Morgan_Ree

Some universitys accept Science instead of Maths (mine did)

Depending on whether you want to do the degree or diploma will obviously affect the grades you need.
The diploma is being phased out. Again when this happens will depend on your uni. I think they aim to be degree only by 2012

Can't help too much with the midwifery side of things as I'm doing adult nursing. From what I do know it's extremely competative. Very few places and a lot of applicants.
Same with child nursing actually!

Don't worry about the job situation. During your 3 years of training a lot can happen. There's always the private sector! It pays better anyway

clairec79

You can't go from children's nursing to midwifery, you can do adult nursing then later the 18 month conversion course (although a lot of places are phasing this out and doing more direct entry)

Or you could go for direct entry midwifery

Either child nurse or midwifery would qualify you to work in a neonatal unit but that's the only real overlap

When I applied for my midwifery there were actually more applicants for each place than for medicine - and I believe child nursing is similar. You need to decide which one you want to go for before applying and focus your personal statement for that as a half hearted one for both wont get you in for either

If you decide midwifery is for you and have any more questions just ask me

diamondgirl007

Ah really? Thanks for that! At least I know now. I'm going to get cracking with the maths, because whatever I decide, I want to brush up on that.

Im a little worried about doing direct midwifery as like you say it seems extremely hard to achieve a placement/job.

I think I will decide bewteen adult and child nursing, and think more about it overall.