Midwife Lecturer (Education)

Job/Role Summary

I plan and deliver a range of education for pre-registration midwifery students.

Specific qualifications and experience required

A higher level degree and a registered midwife. Teaching experience is required.

Career Milestones

Being interested and then involved in research which motivated me to register for a PhD which I obtained in 2016.

What attracted you to this job?

I was attracted to the role because it enables me to do everything that I love within one job:- teaching undergraduate midwifery students, being involved in research, visiting and working with students in clinical practice, collaborating with colleagues across other disciplines, writing for publication and many more things. The flexibility that I am afforded to develop myself and explore new opportunities was especially attractive as I feel that this will enable me to grow personally and professionally and ultimately contribute to enhancing the care provided to women and their families.

Enjoyable aspects of the job/role

Working with colleagues to achieve a common goal: safe, professional and evidence based practitioners.
Liaising with clinicians about students and forming new partnerships with colleagues from an educational perspective.

Challenging aspects of the job/role

Sometimes the volume of work is challenging, especially when there are competing demands. However, this is offset by the sense of satisfaction when the work is completed and student feedback is positive.
Another challenging aspect of the job is working for an organisation that is not the NHS. Having spent the majority of my career within the NHS to step outside of this was a huge step outside my comfort zone. However educational institutes have a lot to offer in terms of career development and support for the individual.

Working with students also presents its own challenges especially when a student is struggling to achieve the required standard. Balancing the needs of the student with the professional standards required is a particular challenge and one which requires a lot of support.

Important success factors

Becoming a midwifery lecturer was never on my career radar as I saw myself as being a clinician through and through and was focussed on being the best midwife I could be for the women that I cared for. However after I gained a PhD my view of my career options began to expand and I realised that my skills could be used to greater effect by moving outside of the clinical environment. It was difficult decision to realise that my strengths would be more effectively used elsewhere. However, in my current role I am able to directly influence the midwives of the future by being an educator and a role model and therefore this is a huge success factor.

Advice for those considering the type of job/role?

Maximise your exposure to education opportunities by teaching within your current role either via mentoring students or multidisciplinary teaching eg PROMPT/ALSO. I would also recommend becoming involved in any research or learning opportunities and being proactive about how you achieve this. If I have learnt anything it is that nothing will be handed to you on a plate; you need to persue your goals and negotiate a way to achieve them. Speaking personally I had to be very creative about how I achieved my goals and this has enabled me to gain the skills that I am continuing to hone and develop in my current role.

Key skills that can be gained within this job/role?

Negotiation, self- awareness, sensitive communication, self- confidence, team-working, assertiveness.

Career Profiles