Hello,
I think I may be one of the ladies you speak of. I'll try and answer your questions as best possible.
how you went about it,
What qualifications you needed,
This depends on what qualifications you have really. I didn't have any A levels so have gone to college part time this year to study an access course. Mine is called Access to Health and Human Science but I think there are a few different access courses that would enable you to gain entry onto a Midwifery degree course.
If you have A levels already you wn't nessacarily need an access course but they do prefer an A level in a science.
If you decided to do an access course it may cost you, but, if you are between 19- 25 you will probably be able to do the course fee free if you don't already have any A levels or the eqivilant.
Whats the training like (times etc)
The degree is a 50/ 50 course. Half the time will be spent studying at university and another 50% will be at hospital aiding with births and gaining experience. When you are on placement in hospital you will work shifts. For your first year you will only do mornings, days or afternoons. For the second and third years you will be required to do nights too.
If you decide to do an access before the degree the study time will very. My course is 2 days a week, mon and tues, but I think access courses vary. My college also have a creche that you can put your LO in and it is free to some students.
Is there any costs?
No, a midwifery degree is NHS funded so you won't have any tution fees. You will also get a bursary from the NHS which is money that you get to keep. This is for books, living costs etc. I can't recall from the top of my head how much but I think it is around £4000.
There is also the option of doing a midwifery diploma although they will be getting rid of this by 2010. It is probably an easier course to gain access onto but you will qualify at a lower level than a degree qualified midwife and will also earn less when qualified. The good thing about the diploma over degree is that the bursary is £7000 or there abouts, but if you weigh that up against the fact that when your degree qualified you'll earn more.
Any more questions just ask or drop me a PM. Good luck.
xxx
