Midwiffery course

[LillynJonson]

I have been thinking about applying for the direct entry midwiffery course but was just after some info about it. I know it would vary state to state but generally how many days/hours a week is it and how are you finding the course so far? I understand a of the course is clinical so just trying to work out how I'd balance it with family life. Any info would be greatly appreciated.:)

[jaydensmum]

Im sorry i have no info on this, but im interested in knowing more about the course too. :D

jaydensmum

[JeSsIkA]

Hi

I just finished Bachelor of Nsg. i think that the mid course is similar.. we do between 3-4 days at uni nearly all day for abour 8 weeks then do clinical placements whcih are full time, with alternating shifts for abourt 4-6 weeks 5days).

Dont kown if mid is exactly the same but id think it would be very similar, but depends on what uni you go to.

[LillynJonson]

Thanks Jessika, how do you find studying with the kids? Mine are around the same age. I'm just not sure if it's something I could do now or if I should wait till they're at school.:confused:

[annsam]

I dont know about courses in VIC but NSW only has 1 direct entry course at UTS in the city and its full time. I believe its 4 days per week but Im not too sure. Check out the UTS Nursing Faculty site.

[BlueButterfly]

Hi guys, my name is mel and Im a first year mid student (direct entry) in sa.
I have uni 2 days a week (but they are full days- mon 10-6 and tues 8-5). Then the rest of the week is used for study and follow throughs.
IF you dont already know about follow throughs, in sa (and perhaps in other states) we are required to follow 30 women through their pregnancy (maximum of 4 antenatal visits), we're on call for the birth, and then attend 1 or 2 post natal visits. However that is over the 3 year period, so 10 a year is a bit easier.
The course is fantastic. There are 40 students in direct entry 1st year, about 18 in 2nd year, and 20 in 3rd year.

Most of the women in my course are mothers, and there are some people doing part time. However the mothers are doing quite well, with juggling home life and uni.

Anyway, I hope that gives you a bit of an insight. Like I said though, this applies to SA (flinders uni) and may differ in other states.

All the best!

[BlueButterfly]

Placements: in first year, we have 4 days placement at the womens and childrens hospital (thats 4 days out of the 365). In 2nd year, you have 2 days a week all year at a hospital, and in 3rd year, its 4 days a week all year. But, in 3rd year you only have 1 day of uni. So it gradually works up to becoming a 5 day per week commitment. Once again though, it might change, and quite possibly is different at other places.

[LillynJonson]

Thank's for that! It's given me more of an insight and I'll look more into it to see what's involved in Victoria. Definately something I'd love to try!:thumbsup:

[Bec@Brisbane]

I would love to be a midwife but i thought you had to do a Nursing degree first then midwifery after that? Does anyone know if thats true for qld'ers

[OscarTheGrouch]

Australia is one of the last countries to introduce a direct entry Midwifery education programme. I know that NZ has been running direct entry Midwifery education for about 10 years now. The UK is similiar aparently. From what I understand the places are limited, which is a shame, considering there is a worldwide shortage of Midwives. I am going to do my Midwifery, hopefully mid-term next year. I only have to complete a year, thank goodness. Good luck with it all.:fingerscrossed:

[Ellen_M]

Hi there,

I'm doing my direct entry mid in victoria.

I'm not a mum but most of the ladys in my course are, and yeah i guess it would be pretty hard, but as long as you can organise your time etc you would be fine i'm sure.

At the moment (i'm 2nd year) i only have 2 hours of uni a week :eek: Which really is more of a pain in the bum more than anythign! I find the hardest part of the course are the assignments (generally they can be pretty interesting just hard to get motivated to sit down and do) and keeping up with follow through ladies. I currently have about 16 i think, and i stress at the thought of who i havent contacted for ages, and who am i meeting this week and whos about to give birth etc etc!! i find it really overwhelming to keep up with everyone. But i really do love this part of the course - i have really good relationships with most of my follow throughs so its more of a social catch up more than anything else! lol

Good luck with everything - if you have any questions dont hesitate to ask or pm me!
Ellen xo

[LillynJonson]

Thanks Ellen, 2 hours a week - that sounds great ;) . From your experience is the course difficult to get into? Are there any factors which help in the selection process? I guess I'm just a bit worried that after 2 kids my brain has gome to mush:confused: By the way which Uni are you at, if you don't mind me asking, and do some Uni's have a better reputation, and job placement success than others?

[Ellen_M]

Hi!

Yeah the course is pretty difficult to get into - I was really lucky because i was able to the ENTER score to get in (i can speak japanese so it boosted my score MASSIVELY!). I knew I wouldnt be motivated enough to do nursing or div 2 nursing first so tried my best during year 12. but thats just me - if i have my mind set on something i dont want to do it any other way! Lots of the other ladies in my course have done div 2 nursing (1 year at tafe i think...) and then you get some credits in your first year of mid, which helps lots.

I go to Vic Uni. I think that yes it does matter what uni you get into, to an extent. You will still get the same education etc, but my clinical teachers have really really struggled to find us placements, because other unis seem to get preference. ACU is probably the most popular. Its in the city, and the other is Monash and thats in Frankston. So monash was definately out for me, and i prefer to drive to st albans than go ito the city so Vic uni works well for me.
So yeah, Vic uni probably isnt the most popular one, but to be honest, i like it compared to the others - I feel we have quite a bit of freedom there compared to other ones, but we dont get much help. I think the other unis help out their students heaps more. But it works for me. I dont really like having lots of rules and Vic uni is good like that.

Re getting a job afterwards - TBH i dont think it matters! Its really only the during that they have differences.

If you have any other questions dont hesitate to ask! more than happy to help :)

Ellen xo