Question for the UK midwife people

Silverdragon102, BSN · Aug 31, 2005

Hi -
So glad to find this site as I have been looking for months for UK people to "chat " with re UK midwifery. Here's my scoop. My husband is planning on taking a job in England, probably after I have our second child (maybe in 1.5-2 yrs?). Currently I'm a CNM in the US. I work in a wonderful freestanding birth center setting, no MD involvement in our pt care, lots of waterbirths and complete care for our ladies, with the help of a nurse who comes in right at the time of birth. I've looked into the qualifications for becoming a midwife in the UK and feel pretty sure I wouldn't have a hard time qualifying. I would LOVE to experience being a midwife in England because I'm sure I would learn alot and expand my skill base.
Here are my main questions - does anyone know anyone who was a CNM, who actually found a job as a midwife in England? Seems like all the job listings I see state foreign training midwives would be only hired if they couldn't find anyone else. I'm very nervous about getting qualified, then moving for 5 yrs and be unable to find a job. I HAVE to work, at least a bit, because if I take time off, I probably won't ever be able to catch babies back in the US. Also, because I have a young child and plan on having more, I really would prefer a part time job - is this possible for midwives in England? And how hard would it be to get a job somewhere great, like a birth center or somewhere with naturally birthing moms? Homebirth would be fabulous. And my final question - did I read somewhere that in the UK, it is the nurses who do the paps ans family planning? In that case, could I find a job doing that easily, if I got my Rn license in england? I do tons of gyn here, so that would be great as well.
Hope this isn't too hard to absorb and I can get some answers. I honestly have searched far and wide for US CNMs turned UK midwife and have come up totally empty handed. Thanks a ton!

I am sure Kay (madwife2002) will be along soon and offer more advice but found this on the nmc website http://www.nmc-uk.org/(t0hgvgil02rma455s3axgh55)/aFrameDisplay.aspx?DocumentID=633

I wouldn't have thought you would have a problem getting a job as a midwife aslong as you meet all criteria with the nmc and there is always a shortage. Part time shouldn't be a problem also

The nurses that do pap and family planning are usually practice nurses who have been on a relevant course. Practice nurses are RN's who work in doctors surgeries (in the community) I think on par with your primary doctor. Midwifes in the UK are their own practitioner in their own rights and do most of the deliveries even in hospitals, doctors only take over if there is a problem or want experience on delivery. Kay will correct you if I am wrong

best of luck

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2005

Hi,

As Anna says check out the NMC sites, I know that here in UK it has been very slow in recruiting oversea's midwives as they we found not to be trained the same. I had heard that due to the big decrease in midwives now happening that some oversea's midwives are now being recruited but it appears to be very slow. One of the main problems being the language barrier and the training. As I am sure you are aware midwives are practitioners in their own right over here.

Try Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton UK they are quite forward thinking and may help you with some information even if it isn't there you will be moving to.

Pm me if you want more information and I will try and help you.

Kay

midwifemama · Sep 3, 2005

Interesting to hear that you both think getting a job wouldn't be difficult if I qualified. What is the best way to find jobs? Is it best to contact a Hospital directly? What is a typical schedule for a full time midwife? Just try to absorb as much info as possible! Thanks!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Sep 3, 2005

Interesting to hear that you both think getting a job wouldn't be difficult if I qualified. What is the best way to find jobs? Is it best to contact a Hospital directly? What is a typical schedule for a full time midwife? Just try to absorb as much info as possible! Thanks!

I would suggest have a good think to where you want to live and then contact local hospitals also get the nmc process going atleast 12 months beofre hand as it can take a while to get sorted and that new policies have come into place which you have to do before you can practice. Think Kay will be able to answer more on what a typical schedule is for a midwife

Best of luck

midwifemama · Sep 4, 2005

thanks again. i do plan on starting the application process soon as we are only going if i do qualify! i spent too much time and money in school to become a midwife to not be able to practice :)

we actually would be going either somewhere near Cambridge or Harrogate. at this point, we haven't formed any real opinions about which would be better. any input? any place to avoid?

Fonenurse · Sep 5, 2005

thanks again. i do plan on starting the application process soon as we are only going if i do qualify! i spent too much time and money in school to become a midwife to not be able to practice :)
we actually would be going either somewhere near Cambridge or Harrogate. at this point, we haven't formed any real opinions about which would be better. any input? any place to avoid?

Hi

Either town is beautiful - Harrogate is a well known spa town, and cambridge is home to the famous University. It depends what you are looking for - as far as nursing / midwifery goes, Cambridge is closer to some big teaching hospitals, whilst Harrogate is within commuting distance of many Yorkshire towns - like York, where they have reasonably sized maternity units.

They are both very different towns.

Harrogate Hospital is here http://www.harrogatehealth.nhs.uk/

Cambridge (Addenbrookes) is here http://www.addenbrookes.org.uk/index.html

Silverdragon102, BSN · Sep 5, 2005

Hi
Either town is beautiful - Harrogate is a well known spa town, and cambridge is home to the famous University. It depends what you are looking for - as far as nursing / midwifery goes, Cambridge is closer to some big teaching hospitals, whilst Harrogate is within commuting distance of many Yorkshire towns - like York, where they have reasonably sized maternity units.
They are both very different towns.
Harrogate Hospital is here http://www.harrogatehealth.nhs.uk/
Cambridge (Addenbrookes) is here http://www.addenbrookes.org.uk/index.html

there are some good teaching hospitals in yorkshire

midwifemama · Oct 6, 2005

okay, another question. for some reason, i was never reading the midwife qualifications correctly on the nmc website. my midwifery program was 24 months, so it looks like i will have to first apply as an adult RN, and then as a midwife, rather than apply directly as a midwife. what a pain!

so, should i plan on the process taking 1 yr for the rn and 1 yr after that for the midwifery?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Oct 6, 2005

okay, another question. for some reason, i was never reading the midwife qualifications correctly on the nmc website. my midwifery program was 24 months, so it looks like i will have to first apply as an adult RN, and then as a midwife, rather than apply directly as a midwife. what a pain!
so, should i plan on the process taking 1 yr for the rn and 1 yr after that for the midwifery?

We also have shortedn courses for people who are already qualified as RN and they usually run 18 months, so you may qualify. The only way is to input both together and see what they say