In a ground-breaking partnership with Birmingham Women’s Hospital, which is the first of its kind in the West Midlands, Sandwell College Health and Social Care students now have the opportunity to get real experience of the career of an NHS midwife.
The hospital has agreed to work in partnership with the college to support students with work placements and careers advice in midwifery. As part of this valuable collaboration, 11 students who are aspiring midwives, were recently invited to attend a careers seminar at the hospital.
On the day, the learners met student midwives who answered their career questions, and toured delivery suites where they met new mothers, newborn babies and nursing staff. They were also given tips on how to successfully apply for university, information on the different roles, grades and salaries available, career paths and progression routes.
Level 3 student Laura Dexter said: “I loved it. It made me realise how much midwives mean to expecting mothers and it made me realise how I want to become a midwife even more.”
Student Francesca May Stanton added: “The best part for me was the tour around the wards and delivery suites, and also the question and answer session with the student midwives.”
Sandwell College placement officer, Claudette Mclean, who has successfully built up the partnership with the NHS trust, said: “The students found the event empowering, informative and insightful. This was great for our students and the college as we are one of the first colleges in the West Midlands to be given this opportunity.”
Birmingham Women’s Hospital Interim Consultant Midwife, Sue Smithson, said: “It is so refreshing to see the enthusiasm and motivation of young students who aspire to become midwives of the future. Being able to give them an insight into the role and a greater understanding of the wide range of skills required, and opportunities available as a midwife, is just the beginning of what could be a long and fulfilling career. We look forward to organising more of these events to help prepare our students for the world of work.”
