Re: [ozmidwifery] radio program and Uk survey

[Lois Wattis]

Dear Marilyn, I think your impression regarding advertised midwifery positions is right.  I think many hospitals, birth centres etc. only advertise positions if they have several vacancies and are really worried about staff levels.  Otherwise they rely on midwives and nurses approaching the institutions directly, providing a CV and attending an interview.  Often the initial appointment is on a casual basis, or short term contract, which can lead to permanent employment if both parties are satisfied with each other's offers.  My advice would be to send CV's to the places you would like to work, with an expression of interest.  Let them know when you think you would be seeking work, and the number of hours per fortnight you would like.  Be aware they will probably try to employ you on the lowest pay level they can.  You need to be really clear and assertive about what level you should be employed on, as many will try to beat you down to starting on a lower payrate, especially in the private sector.  This has been my experience, anyway.  It was nice meeting you at Noosa.   Best wishes,  Lois   ----- Original Message ----- From: Marilyn Kleidon To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, October 12, 2002 12:31 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] radio program and Uk survey Wow, excellent access to the press articles. But my heart just breaks. It seems everyone is aware of the midwifery shortage. However, as one who is in the process of becoming authorised to practice and will be looking for a midwifery position, if it weren't for this list I would not know that positions were available. The positions I do see advertised are usually for senior staff and management positions. Could someone tell me what that is about? It seems to me that at least in Australia we do have a lot of trained and educated midwives BUT that they are not working as such and do we know or have any idea what would make them come back AND are there really jobs for them to come back to? I mean really, everyone talks about the nurse and midwife shortage but where are the job openings? I look in the papers religiously and on the internet and quite honestly I would say that the jobs do not exist, if the hospitals are recruiting they are doing it very, very, quietly and selectively. I am harping I know, but if I didn't know otherwise I would think that the hospitals were more than adequately staffed and that I should look elswhere for employment.   marilyn ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002 10:56 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] radio program and Uk survey In a message dated 10/10/02 11:45:23 AM W. Australia Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: If anyone out there knows where to access the survey results - any ideas at all would be great. I've copied below info about this, that I have copied from one of our NCT email groups. I can't find a web site for the magazine, but am sure you could probably find a copy it over here - it is the UK version. "1 Oct A survey by Mother and Baby magazine has found that the majority of women find birth terrifying and that only 6% achieved a natural birth. This survey has received widespread coverage in all the media, with comments by NCT putting a more positive spin on childbirth today. BBC Health On-line / Guardian / Mail http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2288294.stm <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2288294.stm> http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health/story.jsp?story=338348 <http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health/story.jsp?story=338348> http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,802078,00.html <http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,802078,00.html> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2002/10/01/nbirth01.xml <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2002/10/01/nbirth01.xm Hope this helps. Debbie Slater Perth, WA