Where do you work and what is your job title?
Midwife at the Mid Essex Health Trust.
Describe what you enjoy in your job and why you would recommend it to others.
I enjoy working with childbearing women and their families and supporting women in their birth journey. I also like providing good antenatal education and information enabling women to have informed choices and empowered births.
Describe challenges or difficulties you have been confronted with, and how you coped with them.
Being a midwife requires dedication and commitment, striking the right work life balance is an on-going challenge. Supporting families with complex social needs and challenges is a steep learning curve and requires a good understanding of our role and responsibility to safeguarding.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I plan to return to university to undertake my Masters degree in Advanced Midwifery practice and hope to pursue a career in teaching.
How did studying the course at ARU prepare you for your job?
It changed my life. It prepared me for an incredible career and made me a stronger and more confident person. I now believe I could do just about anything I set my mind to. The course is incredibly tough but it certainly prepares you for Midwifery (which is also tough).
Describe your experience at ARU in three words.
Positively life affirming.
Where do you work and what is your job title?
Midwife at Basildon and Thurrock University NHS Trust.
Describe what you enjoy in your job and why you would recommend it to others.
Within my role as a Midwife I get to care for women from all different backgrounds, religions, cultures and faiths. I love that no day is the same! I get to be a part of the most memorable time within women’s lives, and that is such a privilege. There are challenges but the rewards are plentiful and I could not imagine doing anything else.
Describe challenges or difficulties you have been confronted with, and how you coped with them.
The transition from student to qualified midwife was challenging, being accountable for my actions instead of working under my mentors pin number was scary, but the support I have received throughout my preceptorship (newly qualified) year from colleagues and management has been tenfold.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Oh my goodness! I couldn’t possibly answer that! Midwifery has so many pathways that I could be anywhere from community midwifery, high risk labour ward to more specialist roles! Hopefully still loving it as much as I do now.
How did studying the course at ARU prepare you for your job?
As the course was 50% theory and 50% practice this meant that I was ‘fit for purpose’ by the end of the three years. A mixture of theory and skills session meant that I was able to learn how to safely undertake the skills needed for the role. The lecturers were so supportive and inspiring, their words of advice will stay with me forever.
Describe your experience at ARU in three words.
An unforgettable journey.