What to do? What do you do for a living?

[lau86]

Wow I can't get over how competitive midwifery is! I know it's a great job but I would hve thought there were more job/ training opportunities than there clearly are. I can only assume the government has alot to do with that.
I am a junior doctor, eventually I will be a gp. I love it most of the time.
I agree with getting some hands on experience either volunteering or becoming a hca or doula or something like that. For my course you wouldn't get a look in without some volunteering experience but its alot easier when you're an 18 yr old without responsibilities!
Hope you get something soon OP it sounds like you're really serious about it and would be really good

 

[shirlls]

Sorry you didn't get in to your course, the competition is awful these days! My only advice would be to maybe phone the careers office (a lot are closing down these days, but there are some still open) and maybe they can give you advice on ways to get into midwifery? Or, could you apply to the course again in the clearing as I know a lot of people can get in last minute who originally didn't get in?

I am 33 and the career area of my life is a bit of a shambles at the moment, or at least it is until my business is up and running. I studied media at uni with the hope of becoming a TV Researcher or a features writer for a magazine or local paper (which I knew at the time wouldn't have been easy to get into, especially in Scotland!), but all I got was a couple of interviews for BBC and STV which I was unsuccessful in and some freelance writing work for local magazines which was good experience but didn't lead anywhere properly. To be honest, I was never really that passionate about being a TV researcher or features writer anyway. I ended up working full time in offices which there is nothing wrong with, but I hate it. Since going on maternity leave I used my savings to retrain in complementary therapies (massage, reflexology) which I really enjoyed and I am trying to get started on pursuing this avenue at the moment. I am also making wedding favours from home for extra cash.

Until I get both of my small businesses up and running, I feel like I am at a crossroads and sometimes I feel crap as at 33 years old I don't yet have a 'proper career'. Though I am putting emphass on the word 'yet' as hopefully soon I can say I am a therapist and not just 'I work in an office'.

Don't give up! Find out what your options are and if there are any other ways in to the course, or into midwifery. There must be. If it is your dream, you are actually already on your way there as a lot of people want something to work towards but don't even know what it is they want to do with their life (look at me studying media when it wasn't until recently I found out what I actually want to do). You just need to find a way in to it. what about other Universities? Are there none others near you which offer the course, even if it did meant a little more travel?

Good luck! x

 

[Chris77]

I've done a few things. I was an Administrative Asst, Marketing Coordinator, Patient Account Rep, Psychiatric Technician. I never stayed in one field for too long.

My current role is SAHM until PJ is in school.

 

[Rota]

Could you look for a job as an hca or a carer to get some experience more related to a job in a caring position?
Just my 2 cents - i know a lot of people who've done degrees in medical or caring professions and my general experience is they really value practical experience as they often have a high drop out rate of people who don't really understand what the job/course entails.

I qualified as a nurse two years ago and i am now an orthopedic nurse. We started out with 60 people in our group, out of the 60 only 18 qualified. Drop outs were for a variety of reasons ranging from not knowing what the course entailed to failing exams/coursework/placements to being removed from the course.

No I dont want to be a nurse. There's something unappealing about having to change men's bed pans etc. And at the end of the day its a million miles away from midwifery. Some unis are stopping doing the shortened route for qualified nurses because people do go into nursing as an easy route to midwifery.
Xx

If you dont want to change bedpans then there is no way in hell you would want to look into working as a HCA/care support worker as when i worked as a HCA that was what i spent the majority of the shift doing- washing, toileting,washing some more. I love my job, its hard and there are times where i do think 'why the hell didnt i become a midwife or a teacher?' but at the end of the day i do love my job.

Keep applying to UCAS, get someone/anyone to read through your application form. It could be something as simple as the way it is constructed. I wasnt sucessful the first year i applied to uni, it was only when i has someone who was already on the course read through my application and advise me on how to write a stronger application that i was offered a place. I was only able to apply to one uni as well.

 

[MikaylasMummy]

I'm in my second year of a nursing degree.i love it and I am excited at the prospect of having such a rewarding career.i also enjoy the fact that I am far from limited to hospital nursing.if it gets tedious i could always spend some time doing practice nursing ie at a gp giving immunizations,changing dressings etc. or community nursing.here the easiest way I think to get into midwifery is to transfer from nursing,however like over there the places are very limited.i also think without a nursing degree backing you you are more limited and you then have to find a job only in midwifery.

 

[Mumof42009]

If your heart lies in midwifery I would carry on applying until you get a place, does the uni your applying to do a foundation course linked to midwifery? This could help in securing you a place as it gives you a taster of uni life and studying. I gave up my children's nursing place mainly due to having no support and no one to have my kids when I was on shifts etc. I'm now going back to uni to do Public Health and hopefully work in Health Promotion or specialise in Child and Maternal health. Good Luck with what path you decide to take x

 

[Mrs R]

Haven't read through all the replies yet but just wondering if you could do night classes etc to boost your chances of getting in next year?? Another A-Level or equivalent might go a long way in getting you in, as would volunteering. Maybe helping out in a local nursing home, youth club etc if you haven't already got that experience??

Im a social worker and love it. Totally worth the student debt and I'm relatively well paid.

 

[babyno9]

If nursing is not an option, how about working as a Maternity Support Worker/Maternity Care Assistant? You can get jobs from the NHS site emailed to you so you don't miss out.

Or how about working as a Doula?

I got accepted onto the Midwifery degree in 2008, withdrew after 7 months though, i'd be happy to look at your personal statement and see if i can offer any tips? I have just been offered two places at university to study Social Work this September. What i will say though is if you can get any volunteer work in a maternity unit, with an independant midwife/doula or with a local NCT group, may be very helpful in your application. x

 

[Toms Mummy]

A friend of mine applied to become a theatre assistant 2 years running. They told her the 2nd year that to be in with a chance she needs to have some care experience. So she started volunteering at a care home. The next year she got on the course and is nearly qualified.

I think experience goes a long way and that you look like you're trying. Have you considered volunteering? I know it's hard when working and with children but it might make all the difference x

 

[babyno9]

Sorry, i also meant to add that most of the ladies on my Midwifery course applied two plus times before they were accepted, don't give up. Just use each year to better your application for the next cycle. You WILL get invited for an interview eventually.