Advice about Career

Hi There

I need some advice please. Im looking into studying Midwifery though Dunedin Polytech through distance learning - yes i know it will be hard but i know others who have done it this way and said its the same :) Im looking at doing it when my oldest child starts school and my youngest is at kindy. How do you manage to study and still be there for your children when they need you, eg taking them to school etc ? Since i would be studying at home apart from the practicals i would still be home for my children during those hours. Is there anyone here who is studying midwifery that could offer me some advice on how they managed it ? My partner wouldn't really be a full time stay at home day, which is my question, i would like to know how everyone else manages it ? He would still be working Mon-fri 8am untill 5pm , I have had alot of people down me because i choose to study and they think i would not be there for our children, but infact i would always put our children first.

So how did you manage to still be a stay at home mum and study ? The kiddies will be at school and kindy so i will have time during the day to study and at night once they are in bed, any advice someone can give me ? Also would love to hear from anyone who is currently studying Midwifery too :)

Be prepared to give up your social life. It's a huge amount of study. My friend is in her 3rd year & the work load is a lot. We hardly see her but it is manageable when you have kids in kindy/school. She does have her younger ones in daycare so can do a full day study. Also you need to have people able to pick up your kids if you've got births to attend to around the end of school time.

I would suggest contacting the dunedin polytech & ask if they could give your name to some current students if they could get in touch to give you realities of the study

I didn't do midwifery, but I did study full time with my son in daycare. Over the four years I had 9 placements. My home and study was based in Hamilton and thankfully 5 of those placements where local. 2 I commuted to Rotorua, one in Te Kuiti and one to Auckland. It is definitely hard work, and support of others is great it you have it around. With my out of town placements I would work out things with my supervisor so I could leave in time to be able to pick up my son. I'd have my partner our one of our family members drop off or pick up my son if I wasn't able to. All my study I tried to do when he was in care....and into the late hours of the night....I think maybe one assignment I completed in that time was not due to an allnighter!...thats just how I programmed at the time. The practical hours for midwifery is high...around 4000hours off the top of my head, and you will be on-call at times as well. Definitely can be done with planning, support, and a lot of blood, sweat and tears.

Edited by ooEvaoo - 26 September 2012 at 9:03pm

Hey,

I am currently 2nd year in this programme, however through CPIT. But they are run together, so same degree.

I think realistically, in 1st year, you can definately still be there for your family. Maybe even the first few months of 2nd year you can too, but after that, you need to be prepared for someone else to take over that role most of the time. I get to either drop my daughter off or pick her up, i dont get to do both. Some days i cant do any. Some days i dont get to see her at all. Its not just a career choice, it is a family choice because it takes so much out of your family too. Husbands/partners miss out on you too and that can also be hard. It is a physically and emotionally gruelling degree.

However, it is a very beautiful and rewarding career choice. I wouldnt change it for the world.

If you want to chat some more, feel free to PM me.

Edited by MissCandice - 03 October 2012 at 6:48pm