Am I insane?! Could I be a midwife?

I have been unhappy at work for a long while. Have been considering changes for a while... but life has had other plans. Two kids later, I'm back in the same role and unhappy. I always thought I'd stay at my present employer (even if they are being slandered in the news ATM for sacking people... Meh, I'm happy enough with them, just not my role... :dunno: ) and try a different pathway here, like HR or training... something working more with people.

However... A random conversation with a colleague here has sent my thoughts off onto a completely different tangent... she said I should do midwifery. :o

We were talking about my breastfeeding counselling training that I am currently undertaking and how I'd love to be an LC but you need to be a MW first. And so she said "Off you go then, be a MW!" Strange because when I did year 12 I wanted to get into medicine but my score wasn't high enough... and then at Uni I decided I'd have to study too hard and feel into something completely unrelated :lol:

So anyway... am I insane for considering such a massive career change at 32? As colleague pointed out, I could have 30 odd years of working ahead of me still... do I want to be unhappy for 30 years??

And who can tell me about Midwifery in Victoria? Which unis? Full time, part time? What is the course load like? How is studying Midwifery with small kids? Do you have to do nursing first?

I'm looking at some uni websites but thought I'd ask those who have BTDT... :)

I don't think you're insane at all! I usually look at it that life is too short/too valuablr to be in a job that makes you miserable.

I have no idea about the details but my student m/w is studying through acu.

You could even end up as a mchn - we need more of those who arent from the dark side!
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You have to study nursing at uni and then specialise in midwifery. My SIL is in the progress of becoming a MW now. She has her first nursing class at uni this wednesday, so proud of her! Hopefully she'll see this and pop in and give you a run down...

I think you should definitely go for it!

And how sucky is that LC thing? I looked into it too as I was interested... but i have no desire to be a midwife, while it would be lovely I can think of some not so lovely aspects of the job that i'd rather not see or be able to cope with well enough for my pateints..

good luck!

Thanks for the affirmations guys! I've been looking at the ACU website, it looks great!

Might see if they can get me some info...

You can go directly into Bachelor of Midwifery without doing your general nursing. I as a RN1 would advise to do Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery together then you come away with two qualification and work in more areas than delivery or postnatal wards.

Hi OceanPrincess,

I'm a midwife and LC-although I did it in my mid 20s after already being a nurse. My cousin at age 40 studied to become a midwife, she had no other medical backgroud, she also had her 4th baby while studying so it can be done and you are definately not too old! The average age of midwives is in the 50s anyway so you will be considered a spring chicken.

You don't have to be a midwife to be an LC but I think you have to be working with childbearing women or babies, so doctors, paediatric nurses, etc are sometimes LCs.

I don't know how the courses work now, its changed heaps since my day, but it is defintaly do able and I dont' think you always have to do nursing first- my cousin didn't . I think you would be great- go for it! Its a hard job and the money isn't fantastic but for a change of career its a great idea.

The other thing is the courses get heaps of applicants so its hard to get in I think.

my student midwife is studying there and i am sure she would be happy to chat if you have questions.

HotI, I'd love that! Could you check with her and then hook us up? Let me know how that goes.

Saffy - thanks for that! I had a chuckle at being a "spring chicken".

Bub 3 - I see what you mean about general nursing. Is it bad if I say I'm not interested in general nursing? :lol:

I wonder how many women have babies and then go "I want to be a midwife!" I think it's probably similar to getting married and saying "I want to be a wedding planner!" :lol:

If you're insane then I am too because I've been thinking about it for a few years now and I'm 33 (almost 34!)

My biggest worry is fitting it in with two kids, I have no idea what the workload is like. Also I live in outer eastern suburb of Melb so I'd have to a bit of travelling to uni as well. But its something I know I would love so I'm planning on going to some Uni open days this year and checking it out. Also I have a science degree so I want to suss out if I could get credit for any of the biological science type subjects which would be a bonus! I'm keen on ACU as well. Good luck!!!

It's funny, I'm contemplating a similar thing - whether to study nursing after I have my next baby rather than go back to work fulltime. I may later do a postgrad in midwifery, I'd like to but am a little worried about how I'd handle some of the sadder aspects emotionally. Here in Perth you don't have to do nursing first, midwifery exists as a stand-alone degree as well as a postgrad option. I'd probably be 32-33 before I get started, all things being equal :)

No thats not bad not wanting to a general nurse however and i dont know but just the extra knowlegde you would get would doing the nursing side would be beneficial in emergencies drugs etc etc but as i said i dont know what they teach with the direct entry midwifery course so i could be completely off the mark!

Definately not too old. As Saffy said you would be a spring chicken in the midwifery field.

I too did Bachelor of Nursing first, worked as an RN for 2years and then went on to do midwifery. And like the others said you can do midwifery without doing nursing. I would recommend doing both if you can for a few reasons. As a child/Teen I wanted to do midwifery so did Nursing first as at the time that was the only way to become a midwife. Now my child bearing years as basically over my interest in midwifery isn't as great as it once was and I find myself drawn to other areas in nursing not midwifery that I can relate to in my own life (like mental health, palative care etc) Been an RN also means I can swap and change between the two. You may find years later that been a LC isn't as rewarding anymore for example and if you have more then one qualification your able to select a much larger choice in careers. Nursing does open so many doors where as midwifery only a few incomparison.

I had DD1 when I was still in highschool. She was a baby when I started nursing and I was soon doing it as a single mother. I was 18. It took 3.5years for me to complete and I finished when I was 21. I started midwifery when I was 23 and fell pregnant with DD2 when I had just started it. DD was born 10months into it and I completed it when she was 12months old (took some time of in the middle) It is definately do-able with a young family.

I too have been quietly considering a career change. I too would love to know exactly what needs to be done to become a MW. Quietly stalking this thread now.........

Not insane at all, i went to my local Uni open day last year and got a bit of info. I have 3 young children at home at the moment so decided now is not the right time but i sill believe that my time will come. When you think about going back to Uni for another 4 or 5 years (maybe i think....) it's nothing when you look at having another 30 years of work ahead of you. I say it's definately worth your time and effort.

If there is something that you want go out there and get it :hug:

While you might not be interested in general nursing, it might make you more employable. There was an article recently about how graduates from the bachelor of midwifery were finding it hard to get jobs. It might be something about how hospitals put in their contracts about how even though they have been employed in one area, you may be required to work in other areas.

Good point little chicken. Where I work all the midwives are also RNS.

I am studying the combined degree at deakin (Bach of nursing/Bach of Midwifery). This will be my second year of 4 years. I have 3 kids, 6 4 and 2. The work load is not too bad, its about 15 hours of face time at uni each week which I have so far managed to timetable mostly in the mornings. I am usually home no later than 3pm. I have good back up and a DH that is a shift worker so he is quite flexable.
I came into it as a 33y/o with no medical back ground at all, just a lot of self aquired knowledge about birth that I didn't want to waste.
It's definatley do-able. The tricky bit is all the placement we have to do. Because it's a combined degree you do twice as much as the nursing students and during 3rd and 4th years we do 2 to 3 midwifery shifts a week during the semester to make up the required hours for registration. This year I won't have any mid semester break which means no time off during school holidays either.
It will get full on because somewhere in amongst all that you have to fit in appointments and births of your follow through mums. But I will take that as it comes and juggle as much as I can.
But the whole point of my post is that it is definatley do-able :)

Well I'm planning a career change at 42 so if you're too old, then I must be completely insane. Not to midwifery but I'll be studying for my Masters so job hunting for an entry level position in my late forties.

While this is a bit scary, you only live once and I'd rather take the risk than carry on doing same old, same old for the next 20 years as I don't find it fulfilling any more.

Hun fire away any questions on here or fb to me!

I did my nursing straight from year 12 then worked a few years before doing my mid! Now after 9 years as a mw I am studying again for mchn.

It would be hard with kids but not impossible if you have family and friends support to help look after kids when you have placements etc.

Personally I suggest going nursing first and then mid or doing double degree.

Look at latrobe, acu, vut and deakin web pages

No, you're not insane.

Yes, you could be a midwife. I think you'd be a good one.

The question I'd be thinking, is whether you want to study for 4 years, and whether you're ok with shiftwork, travel, etc, which is part and parcel of being a midwife.

If you're happy with the package, I'd be investigating further what is involved both wish the study and the job, and maybe go to a careers day mid-year ...

Exciting!

I think your colleague is absolutely right! You've got a long working life ahead of you and why shouldn't you be happy in it?

I believe you and I work for the same organisation, and I'm due back there in about a month. I've also considered changing jobs completely, my type of role isn't really me. But, I've considered everything Peanutter mentioned (money, study time, shift work) and realised I'm probably better off where I am right now :( Unfortunately I need the money and lifestyle this job gives, but if you're in a position to make the change and it'll make you happy I say go for it!

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My girlfriend studied midwifery through the birth of her first son, then daughter 3.5 years later (I think she studied part time for parts of it) and now has her qualifications and LOVES her job. She came from a call centre background.

I think you can definitely do it OP, you could always look at the part time study option while your kids are young so you can balance family and study and ramp up later

Good Luck!

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I am studying the combined degree at deakin (Bach of nursing/Bach of Midwifery). This will be my second year of 4 years. I have 3 kids, 6 4 and 2. The work load is not too bad, its about 15 hours of face time at uni each week which I have so far managed to timetable mostly in the mornings. I am usually home no later than 3pm. I have good back up and a DH that is a shift worker so he is quite flexable.
I came into it as a 33y/o with no medical back ground at all, just a lot of self aquired knowledge about birth that I didn't want to waste.
It's definatley do-able. The tricky bit is all the placement we have to do. Because it's a combined degree you do twice as much as the nursing students and during 3rd and 4th years we do 2 to 3 midwifery shifts a week during the semester to make up the required hours for registration. This year I won't have any mid semester break which means no time off during school holidays either.
It will get full on because somewhere in amongst all that you have to fit in appointments and births of your follow through mums. But I will take that as it comes and juggle as much as I can.
But the whole point of my post is that it is definatley do-able :)

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My story is similar. Same degree, different location, and slightly different kids ages. I came into the degree as a 30 year old, and I am not the oldest on the course. It's a great degree and has given me the taste for learning, so much so that I am already investigating honours year/PHD level education. I would say do it. It's the best thing I ever did :)

When I started last year I think at least 30% of the intake were over 30. I had one tute class where I think a good 70% were over 25.

I think the most important thing to consider is if you can do it financially. I know ACU recommends that you only take first year part time (if at all) and the follow through program as a LOT of hours. Many of the girls struggle to fit family:work:study:follow through women in. You would probably need to not work.

It is why it is now on my "backbench" because i just cant do it without working. So DH is finishing his engineering degree first while i support us and then i will go back.

I was told by the ABA here that after their training and two years volunteering as one of their bf counselors you can apply for registration as an LC so maybe check on that.
And there is certainly direct entry midwifery, through our employment situation seems much better here in QLD than in VIC.
Forshelby - Check out Midwifery at Griffith... Two weeks intensive then straight into placement and online learning I believe. You're on the GC right?

I disagree with nutter - it's possible you are insane.

But does that mean you can't study to be a midwife - of course not!

There was a study done (or I'm possibly making it up) that people have 2-3 major job shifts in their lifetimes, especially now that we are working longer. This is just one of yours.

You are organised, capable and fabulous and can definitely make it work.

In fact, I may have another child just so I can have you as my student midwife.

Not insane at all!!! It is an absolutley fabulous career. I can honestly say that I love my job :D

You have a few options. You can either do your nursing degree first and then your midwifery OR do a double degree in nursing/midwifery where you come out a midwife. I'm not sure what uni's do it now and what load option they offer.

I did my nursing first and then I got accepted into a program where I worked in midwifery as a student midwife and undertook my midwifery degree via distance education.

Good luck with your decision but it is never too late to change your career. I did my nursing with a lady who was 56 and my midwifery with another lady in her 50's. I did my mid when I was 28yrs.

I say go for it! Don't spend any longer than you have to doing a job you hate! You only get one life, make it a great one and do what makes you happy! xx

Thanks everyone for all your input, I really appreciate it.

I've had a chat to DH and my sister (probably the two people who know me best) and neither of them said "You're insane!! You can't be a midwife!" :lol:

DH is concerned about our financial situation if I am going to become a student for 4 years... which is a good point...

And they did both point out similar things to peanutter - travel, shift work, time away from kids... So hmm, more things to think about. I can't see anything about a mid-year intake so I'll just keep thinking about it and see how I go.

Never too late to change your life - unless you're not here any more to do it ;)

DH is studying nursing this year (his first year!) - we are managing on centrelink benefits (childcare would cost more than I am qualified to earn!) and its doable.

He is coming from an architectural background - so if he can be a nurse, you can defnitely be a midwife!

IMHO, none of those things need to make it a no - just depends on what would or wouldn't work for you :)

When DH did security, he worked lots of nights (eg: 7.30pm - 3.30am shifts) and while he was able to stay awake etc, he really hated it.

Whereas a nurse friend finds them fine - two weeks on, six weeks off, she's used to it and it doesn't phase her.

Another nurse friend doesn't like it, but has figured out what helps her make it work ... for her, a separate bed at the back of the house (darker, quieter, etc) ... and she works a 0.8 load so she gets time to rest and sleep before and after night duty.

With the study, DH and I have both studied and worked - and have both found it completely fine and manageable - because we've been studying things we like! Makes it all very do-able.

And with travel - I personally like it ... it's my little bit of decompression at the start and end of the day. If I was doing night shifts and I had to drive, I guess I'd get some books on tape or listen to the radio or whatever (as I obviously couldn't read or meet my train friends ;)) but again, it would be fine. I've commuted since grade 6, and I don't find it problematic.

Changes in finance - only you and your DH can crunch the figures and figure what is and isn't manageable ... whether you can work part time and study full time, or whether you'd need to be on campus full time and work nights, or not work at all (other than your beloved BAS-es ... poor little BAS-es ...) or something else all together!

in any event, you have something like 10 months to chat to people and think and pray and plan before you need to decide anything :D

:hug:

I am doing my 3rd and final year of a bachelor of Midwifery at Monash Uni (frankston campus). I absolutely LOVE it. It is one of the best things I have ever done. I am 32- so you certainly are not mad. There are plenty of women older than me doing it. In Vic- as others have said, you don't need to be a nurse first.
I have 3 boys- 7,5 and 3. I do have good family support and my DH is on a reasonable wage so it has been doable. It is a lot of work- we do 2 days of placement every week from 2nd year- and 2-3 days at uni (plus online subjects and assignments etc) but it is pretty cool too.

If you have any questions feel free to PM me, I am always happy to chat with future potential Mid students.

Not mad at all op, I plan on going back to do my mid. It's the whole reason why I did nursing. Have wanted to be a midwife since I was 16. And i am considering looking into studying it part-time at rmit. But if you are interested in doing it go for it. There will always be hurdles, but if its something you really want to do you will overcome them.

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You have to study nursing at uni and then specialise in midwifery. My SIL is in the progress of becoming a MW now. She has her first nursing class at uni this wednesday, so proud of her! Hopefully she'll see this and pop in and give you a run down...

I think you should definitely go for it!

And how sucky is that LC thing? I looked into it too as I was interested... but i have no desire to be a midwife, while it would be lovely I can think of some not so lovely aspects of the job that i'd rather not see or be able to cope with well enough for my pateints..

good luck!

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THANKS!!!
I have sjut started. there are a few different ways that you can do it at Uni. i only have one choice because i live "rural" so i have to study RN ( nursing) first then do my final year 2 hours away from home. I am doing it part time for now because my babies are all so young! it will take 6 years to do the nursing and then another year full time to become a midwife! i dont think you are crazy for doing it at 32... i will be 27 this year so slightly younger but still not a spring chicken like the school leavers i am in class with LOL . I say if you want to do it go for it!!!!! just ring the Uni, they have some one there all the time to talk to future students and answer questions~

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just ring the Uni, they have some one there all the time to talk to future students and answer questions~

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LOL... seriously half the time over here (melbourne) you are better off asking the students! The Uni give you such a run around- particularly with Midwifery because they have so many applications that they couldn't care less about helping people and answering their questions. (bitter much? lol... but unfortunately that is the experience of many of the women calling) they usually have about 600 applications or so for around 30 positions at our uni.