Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid
Title: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid On 15/2/05 9:54 AM, Sadie [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Tania, I am a direct entry midwife trained in the UK which is the same as your BMid course. I work in Perth, and even though I was an auxiliary nurse before training (no certification), I am not insured to do 'adult nursing' - that means I cannot relieve for meal breaks in emergency or work shifts in gynae or adult special care. It isn't because I don't want to, my WA registration forbids it. You need to be sure your registration and hospital is actually covering you for any tasks you perform outside your midwifery practice. There are 50 direct entry trained midwives here, and this applies to all of us. I also did 'general' placements in my 3 year training course, but that does not give you an RN certification. Cheers, Sadie - Original Message - From: Tania Laurie mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 11:57 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hi Kim I was interested in your comment about not being able to be relocated to other 'wards' - is that from your point of view or others'? I'm a current Bmidder at UniSA and in our first year, we did a 'general nursing' placement on a surgical ward to enhance confidence and skills in the areas of basic nursing (BP, TPR etc blah blah blah, changing dressings, catheters yada yada yada - you get the picture). When on mid placements, where some 'general' patients may also be, if 'mid' is quiet and I'm asked to care for these patients (even men), I'm more than happy to oblige. It can only enhance my knowledge and experience. As with yourself, I'm not anti-nurse, I just chose not to be one. I think if we are willing to do the extra bits to combat the myth that we can't do anything else, it can only help those who follow us and assist in changing the attitudes of those out there who are not so happy with the way mid education is going. In an ideal world, we wouldn't have to fight and argue so hard about our abilities and competence, but it's not an ideal world so I do the best I can with what I've got and take on just about anything! (within reason of course). Cheers Tania - Original Message - From: Kim Stead mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 6:55 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hello again Marcia and others interested in this thread. Thanks for your intro Marcia. It's always nice to know who you are talking to. I guess I have become a bit guarded regarding my midwifery qualification as it's been a torturous road to find a supportive environment in which to practice. I live rurally - Gippsland to be precise. DE midwives are virtually unheard of in the rural areas and many are at a loss as to 'what to do with us' since we can't be relocated to other wards - despite screaming out for midwifery staff. Some, like anything new, are very resistant to change - mostly their own insecurities from what I can make out. Anyway, I arrived in Australia 18mths ago and applied at two hospitals for work - both turned me down because 1. I could not be relocated and 2. because they were 'too busy' training medical staff. I was also told that I needed serious career advice if I thought I would ever be able to work in this country. That was from one individual but someone in a position who should have known better!!! You can imagine how that felt being a new, very enthusiastic graduate who had just sacrificed everything (family finances included) to survive the 3 year 'full-on' degree!! It was soul destroying to say the least and I now fully understand the term 'horizontal violence'! Fortunately for me - it just made me stronger and more determined! Why does this profession 'eat their young' instead of nuture them? I thought as midwives and as women - we were the nuturing types? I know this is not true of all but the few that are like this leave a very bad taste in my mouth. Anyway... Since my 'failed applications', I had been working in the community 'with woman' the best way possible in the current environment but have just recently taken up an offer at one of the hospitals previously mentioned. It is funny how things eventually have an about turn and how midwifery shortages don't change. It seemed they were impressed by my work in the community and my dedication to 'midwifery philosophy' and keeping birth normal where possible. They wanted ME as part of their team... It was a little hard to stomach at first and the concept of 'working in an obstetric model' is still very challenging each day when I drive to and from work. I strive to work as a midwife in a 'task orientated' environment where the focus is on the abnormal - either creating or correcting it. It's no easy task or for the faint hearted! I feel really sad that many midwives in this country are unable to practice to their full potential and see midwifery for what it really
Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid
Maybe we need a midwife specific agency?!!! Katrina On 15/02/2005, at 1:38 PM, Marcia wrote: Interesting to hear this from an agency, although I am not surprised. Agencies will feel very nervous about a new breed of midwives. In fact I think this will be common to anyone who has not worked with theBmidders as students. I feel there needs to be another kind of stepping stone particularly for those who did not get graduate positions. marcia x-tad-bigger- Original Message -/x-tad-bigger x-tad-bigger /x-tad-biggerx-tad-biggerFrom:/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger /x-tad-biggerx-tad-biggershaz42/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger /x-tad-bigger x-tad-biggerTo:/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger /x-tad-biggerx-tad-biggerozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger /x-tad-bigger x-tad-biggerSent:/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger Tuesday, February 15, 2005 12:29 PM/x-tad-bigger x-tad-biggerSubject:/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid/x-tad-bigger hi all I have just got off the phone from a large nursing agency to be told that as a Bach mid grad they would not employ me as once again the hospitals concerned would not have us working in their wards. I was then told that I should have kept my enrolled nurse status and not registered as a midwife and then continued on to do a nursing degree. unfortunately this is not what I wanted to do like Tanya I wanted tobe a midwife not a nurse. is anyone else finding this in the eastern states that nursing agencies don't want to employ Bach of nursing grads their excuse to me was lame as the only wards which we would be sent to is mid and scbu. as far as I can see there is no difference in doing the nursing degree and then going to a agency to work with no experience as just doing the mid degree. again us Bach of midders are going to have to re educate the whole nursing profession. sharon x-tad-bigger- Original Message -/x-tad-bigger x-tad-bigger /x-tad-biggerx-tad-biggerFrom:/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger /x-tad-biggerx-tad-biggerTania Laurie/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger /x-tad-bigger x-tad-biggerTo:/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger /x-tad-biggerx-tad-biggerozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger /x-tad-bigger x-tad-biggerSent:/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger Tuesday, February 15, 2005 11:27 AM/x-tad-bigger x-tad-biggerSubject:/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid/x-tad-bigger Hi Kim I was interested in your comment about not being able to be relocated to other 'wards' - is that from your point of view or others'? I'm a current Bmidder at UniSA and in our first year, we did a 'general nursing' placement on a surgical ward to enhance confidence and skills in the areas of basic nursing (BP, TPR etc blah blah blah, changing dressings, catheters yada yada yada - you get the picture). When on mid placements, where some 'general' patients may also be, if 'mid' is quiet and I'm asked to care for these patients (even men), I'm more than happy to oblige. It can only enhance my knowledge and experience. As with yourself, I'm not anti-nurse, I just chose not to be one. I think if we are willing to do the extra bits to combat the myth that we can't do anything else, it can only help those who follow us and assist in changing the attitudes of those out there who are not so happy with the way mid education is going. In an ideal world, we wouldn't have to fight and argue so hard about our abilities and competence, but it's not an ideal world so I do the best I can with what I've got and take on just about anything! (within reason of course). Cheers Tania x-tad-bigger- Original Message -/x-tad-bigger x-tad-bigger /x-tad-biggerx-tad-biggerFrom:/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger /x-tad-biggerx-tad-biggerKim Stead/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger /x-tad-bigger x-tad-biggerTo:/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger /x-tad-biggerx-tad-biggerozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger /x-tad-bigger x-tad-biggerSent:/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger Monday, February 14, 2005 6:55 PM/x-tad-bigger x-tad-biggerSubject:/x-tad-biggerx-tad-bigger [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid/x-tad-bigger Hello again Marcia and others interested in this thread. Thanks for your intro Marcia. It's always nice to know who you are talking to. I guess I have become a bit guarded regarding my midwifery qualification as it's been a torturous road to find a supportive environment in which to practice. I live rurally - Gippsland to be precise. DE midwives are virtually unheard of in the rural areas and many are at a loss as to 'what to do with us' since we can't be relocated to other wards - despite screaming out for midwifery staff. Some, like anything new, are very resistant to change - mostly their own insecurities from what I can make out. Anyway, I arrived in Australia 18mths ago and applied at two hospitals for work - both turned me down because 1. I could not be relocated and 2. because they were 'too busy' training medical staff. I was also told that I needed serious career advice if I thought I would ever
Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid
Well said Sadie, exactly my experience in Qld. It isn't that I wont work Gyne or any other general ward here, it is that the QNC forbids it as it is NOT what I am licensed to do as a DEM. There are only 2 of us here so we have had to make it perfectly clear it is not our preference. However it does make other staff unhappy when you can never be redeployed etc.. marilyn - Original Message - From: Sadie To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 5:54 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hi Tania, I am a direct entry midwife trained in the UK which is the same as your BMid course. I work in Perth, and even though I was an auxiliary nurse before training (no certification), I am not insured to do 'adult nursing' - that means I cannot relieve for meal breaks in emergency or work shifts in gynae or adult special care. It isn't because I don't want to, my WA registration forbids it. You need to be sure your registration and hospital is actually covering you for any tasks you perform outside your midwifery practice. There are 50 direct entry trained midwives here, and this applies to all of us. I also did 'general' placements in my 3 year training course, but that does not give you an RN certification. Cheers, Sadie - Original Message - From: Tania Laurie To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 11:57 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hi Kim I was interested in your comment about not being able to be relocated to other 'wards' - is that from your point of view or others'? I'm a current Bmidder at UniSA and in our first year, we did a 'general nursing' placement on a surgical wardto enhance confidence andskills in the areas of basic nursing (BP, TPR etc blah blah blah, changing dressings, catheters yadayada yada - you get the picture). When on mid placements, where some 'general' patients may also be, if 'mid' is quiet and I'm asked to care for these patients (even men), I'm more than happy to oblige. It can only enhance my knowledge and experience. As with yourself, I'm not anti-nurse, I just chose not to be one. I think if we are willing to do the extra bits to combat the myth that we can't do anything else, it can only help those who follow us and assist in changing the attitudes of those out there who are not so happy with the way mid education is going. In an ideal world, we wouldn't have to fight and argue so hard about our abilities and competence, but it's not an ideal world so I do the best I can with what I've got and take on just about anything! (within reason of course). Cheers Tania - Original Message - From: Kim Stead To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 6:55 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hello again Marcia and others interested in this thread. Thanks for your intro Marcia. It's always nice to knowwho you are talking to. I guess I have become a bit guardedregarding my midwifery qualification as it's been atorturous road to find a supportive environment in which to practice. I live rurally - Gippsland to be precise. DE midwives are virtually unheard of in the rural areas and many are at a lossas to 'what to do with us' since we can't be relocated to otherwards - despite screaming out for midwifery staff. Some, like anything new, are veryresistant to change - mostly their own insecurities from what I can make out. Anyway, I arrived in Australia 18mths ago and applied at two hospitals for work - both turned me down because 1. I could not be relocated and 2. because they were 'too busy' training medical staff. I was also told that "I needed serious career advice if I thought I would ever be able to work in this country". That was from one individual but someone in a position who should have known better!!! You can imagine how that felt being a new, very enthusiastic graduate who had just sacrificed everything (family financesincluded)to survive the 3 year 'full-on' degree!! It was soul destroying to say the least and I now fully understand the term 'horizontal violence'! Fortunately for me - it just made me stronger and more determined! Why does this profession 'eat their young' instead of nuture them? I thought as midwives and as women - we were th
[ozmidwifery] Bach Mid
Hello again Marcia and others interested in this thread. Thanks for your intro Marcia. It's always nice to knowwho you are talking to. I guess I have become a bit guardedregarding my midwifery qualification as it's been atorturous road to find a supportive environment in which to practice. I live rurally - Gippsland to be precise. DE midwives are virtually unheard of in the rural areas and many are at a lossas to 'what to do with us' since we can't be relocated to otherwards - despite screaming out for midwifery staff. Some, like anything new, are veryresistant to change - mostly their own insecurities from what I can make out. Anyway, I arrived in Australia 18mths ago and applied at two hospitals for work - both turned me down because 1. I could not be relocated and 2. because they were 'too busy' training medical staff. I was also told that "I needed serious career advice if I thought I would ever be able to work in this country". That was from one individual but someone in a position who should have known better!!! You can imagine how that felt being a new, very enthusiastic graduate who had just sacrificed everything (family financesincluded)to survive the 3 year 'full-on' degree!! It was soul destroying to say the least and I now fully understand the term 'horizontal violence'! Fortunately for me - it just made me stronger and more determined! Why does this profession 'eat their young' instead of nuture them? I thought as midwives and as women - we were the nuturing types? I know this is not true of all but the few that are like this leave a very bad taste in my mouth. Anyway... Since my 'failed applications', I hadbeen working in the community 'with woman'the best way possible in the current environment but have just recently taken up an offer at one of the hospitals previously mentioned. It is funny how things eventually have an about turn and how midwifery shortagesdon't change. It seemed they were impressedby mywork in the community and my dedication to 'midwifery philosophy' and keeping birth normal where possible. They wanted ME as part of their team...It was a little hard to stomach at first and the concept of 'working in an obstetric model' is still very challenging each day when I drive to and from work. I strive to work as a midwife in a 'task orientated' environment where the focus is on the abnormal - either creating or correcting it. It's no easy task or for the faint hearted! I feel really sad that manymidwives in this country are unable to practice to their full potential and see midwifery for what it really is - or should be. Perhaps we can stand united and fight for improvements for not only women but for ourselves? We as women and midwives and mothersare a pretty strong force to be reckoned with! Food for thought! The hospital I am at are beginning to understand that Bach of Mid is here to stay and that we may well be the midwives of the future. Many rural hospitals down this way are yet to take that on board.I think that us 'new breed' of midwives have a lot to offer and lots of new ideas to share and vice versa. I also believe that 'together' - all of us, can make a real difference and bring midwifery in this country into the 21st century - well at least inline with our other western sisters. I live in hope. it's what keeps me going! I hope my sharing some of my experience, that you can appreciate what it is like for us 'newbies'. We just want to be midwives like the rest of you and have been fortunate enough to experience an educationthat takes us straight there. We are not 'anti-nurses', just don't have a desire to be nurses. Of course I only speak for myself Enough waffle for now! Kiwi Kim. ---Original Message--- From: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Date: 02/14/05 18:09:18 To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] B/MID FOLLOW UP Hello Kim and others, I am a clinical midwifery educator at Werribee mercy hospital. I have been involved in the interviewing processes without knowing outcomes other than the 2 places we could offer. It seemed to me that because of the competitive numbersand an unknown number of postions being offered, that some girls may have missed out. I am interested in the overall outcomes now and in future. marcia - Original Message - From: Kim Stead To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 5:25 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] B/MID FOLLOW UP May I ask why you are interested and who you are? There is aBMid internet collective who I am sure will be happy toanswer any genuine questions you may have. I'm a recent BMid grad myself (not trained here though) so I'm always happy to chat about my experiences as well but I'm also aware that there's some among us (midwives) who like to eat their young! Kim. ---Original Message--- From: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Date: 02/14/05 14:23:42 To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: [Norton AntiSpam]
Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid
Hi Kiwi Kim, I am a post grad educated midwife, and I ENVY the training that you Bmidders have had. Many of the hospitals which have put in for caseload midwifery funding will struggle to find adequately prepared midwives within their ranks. Bmidders fit the bill perfectly. So while in the short term it is difficult to gain employment, it will soon be different, I believe. All the very best. Nicole. - Original Message - From: Kim Stead To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 7:25 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hello again Marcia and others interested in this thread. Thanks for your intro Marcia. It's always nice to knowwho you are talking to. I guess I have become a bit guardedregarding my midwifery qualification as it's been atorturous road to find a supportive environment in which to practice. I live rurally - Gippsland to be precise. DE midwives are virtually unheard of in the rural areas and many are at a lossas to 'what to do with us' since we can't be relocated to otherwards - despite screaming out for midwifery staff. Some, like anything new, are veryresistant to change - mostly their own insecurities from what I can make out. Anyway, I arrived in Australia 18mths ago and applied at two hospitals for work - both turned me down because 1. I could not be relocated and 2. because they were 'too busy' training medical staff. I was also told that "I needed serious career advice if I thought I would ever be able to work in this country". That was from one individual but someone in a position who should have known better!!! You can imagine how that felt being a new, very enthusiastic graduate who had just sacrificed everything (family financesincluded)to survive the 3 year 'full-on' degree!! It was soul destroying to say the least and I now fully understand the term 'horizontal violence'! Fortunately for me - it just made me stronger and more determined! Why does this profession 'eat their young' instead of nuture them? I thought as midwives and as women - we were the nuturing types? I know this is not true of all but the few that are like this leave a very bad taste in my mouth. Anyway... Since my 'failed applications', I hadbeen working in the community 'with woman'the best way possible in the current environment but have just recently taken up an offer at one of the hospitals previously mentioned. It is funny how things eventually have an about turn and how midwifery shortagesdon't change. It seemed they were impressedby mywork in the community and my dedication to 'midwifery philosophy' and keeping birth normal where possible. They wanted ME as part of their team...It was a little hard to stomach at first and the concept of 'working in an obstetric model' is still very challenging each day when I drive to and from work. I strive to work as a midwife in a 'task orientated' environment where the focus is on the abnormal - either creating or correcting it. It's no easy task or for the faint hearted! I feel really sad that manymidwives in this country are unable to practice to their full potential and see midwifery for what it really is - or should be. Perhaps we can stand united and fight for improvements for not only women but for ourselves? We as women and midwives and mothersare a pretty strong force to be reckoned with! Food for thought! The hospital I am at are beginning to understand that Bach of Mid is here to stay and that we may well be the midwives of the future. Many rural hospitals down this way are yet to take that on board.I think that us 'new breed' of midwives have a lot to offer and lots of new ideas to share and vice versa. I also believe that 'together' - all of us, can make a real difference and bring midwifery in this country into the 21st century - well at least inline with our other western sisters. I live in hope. it's what keeps me going! I hope my sharing some of my experience, that you can appreciate what it is like for us 'newbies'. We just want to be midwives like the rest of you and have been fortunate enough to experience an educationthat takes us straight there. We are not 'anti-nurses', just don't have a desire to be nurses. Of course I only speak for myself Enough waffle for now! Kiwi Kim. -
Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid
Thanks Nicole! ---Original Message--- From: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Date: 02/14/05 20:16:52 To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hi Kiwi Kim, I am a post grad educated midwife, and I ENVY the training that you Bmidders have had. Many of the hospitals which have put in for caseload midwifery funding will struggle to find adequately prepared midwives within their ranks. Bmidders fit the bill perfectly. So while in the short term it is difficult to gain employment, it will soon be different, I believe. All the very best. Nicole. - Original Message - From: Kim Stead To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 7:25 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hello again Marcia and others interested in this thread. Thanks for your intro Marcia. It's always nice to knowwho you are talking to. I guess I have become a bit guardedregarding my midwifery qualification as it's been atorturous road to find a supportive environment in which to practice. I live rurally - Gippsland to be precise. DE midwives are virtually unheard of in the rural areas and many are at a lossas to 'what to do with us' since we can't be relocated to otherwards - despite screaming out for midwifery staff. Some, like anything new, are veryresistant to change - mostly their own insecurities from what I can make out. Anyway, I arrived in Australia 18mths ago and applied at two hospitals for work - both turned me down because 1. I could not be relocated and 2. because they were 'too busy' training medical staff. I was also told that "I needed serious career advice if I thought I would ever be able to work in this country". That was from one individual but someone in a position who should have known better!!! You can imagine how that felt being a new, very enthusiastic graduate who had just sacrificed everything (family financesincluded)to survive the 3 year 'full-on' degree!! It was soul destroying to say the least and I now fully understand the term 'horizontal violence'! Fortunately for me - it just made me stronger and more determined! Why does this profession 'eat their young' instead of nuture them? I thought as midwives and as women - we were the nuturing types? I know this is not true of all but the few that are like this leave a very bad taste in my mouth. Anyway... Since my 'failed applications', I hadbeen working in the community 'with woman'the best way possible in the current environment but have just recently taken up an offer at one of the hospitals previously mentioned. It is funny how things eventually have an about turn and how midwifery shortagesdon't change. It seemed they were impressedby mywork in the community and my dedication to 'midwifery philosophy' and keeping birth normal where possible. They wanted ME as part of their team...It was a little hard to stomach at first and the concept of 'working in an obstetric model' is still very challenging each day when I drive to and from work. I strive to work as a midwife in a 'task orientated' environment where the focus is on the abnormal - either creating or correcting it. It's no easy task or for the faint hearted! I feel really sad that manymidwives in this country are unable to practice to their full potential and see midwifery for what it really is - or should be. Perhaps we can stand united and fight for improvements for not only women but for ourselves? We as women and midwives and mothersare a pretty strong force to be reckoned with! Food for thought! The hospital I am at are beginning to understand that Bach of Mid is here to stay and that we may well be the midwives of the future. Many rural hospitals down this way are yet to take that on board.I think that us 'new breed' of midwives have a lot to offer and lots of new ideas to share and vice versa. I also believe that 'together' - all of us, can make a real difference and bring midwifery in this country into the 21st century - well at least inline with our other western sisters. I live in hope. it's what keeps me going! I hope my sharing some of my experience, that you can appreciate what it is like for us 'newbies'. We just want to be midwives like the rest of you and have been fortunate enough to experience an educationthat takes us straight there. We are not 'anti-nurses', just don't have a desire to be nurses. Of course I only speak for myself Enough waffle for now! Kiwi Kim. ---Original Message--- From: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Date: 02/14/05 18:09:18 To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] B/MID FOLLOW UP Hello Kim and others, I am a clinical midwifery educator at Werribee mercy hospital. I have been involved in the interviewing processes without knowing outcomes other than the 2 places we could offer. It seemed to me that because of the competitive numbersand an unknown number of postions being offered, that some girls may have missed out. I am
Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid
Hello Kim You are not alone in your efforts to obtain employment. I have just moved to Darwin I have had 4 'failed applications'. The last one being in a Community Care Centre desperate for midwivesbut only ones that can do assessments on the older person and other general nursing tasks. It is a fantastic centre but cannot afford to employ a midwife only. I am an RN but I do not profess to be up to date in that area, I am competent in my area of expertise. I am a midwife of 30 years experience, I am a qualified teacher (rare among many academics), have a Masters in Public Health (Women's Health), and I hold 2 Fellowships. So we will get there, good things are worth waiting for. Midwifery forever!! Cheers Jenny Jennifer Cameron FRCNA FACMProMid Professional Midwifery Education Service0419 528 717 - Original Message - From: Kim Stead To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 5:55 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hello again Marcia and others interested in this thread. Thanks for your intro Marcia. It's always nice to knowwho you are talking to. I guess I have become a bit guardedregarding my midwifery qualification as it's been atorturous road to find a supportive environment in which to practice. I live rurally - Gippsland to be precise. DE midwives are virtually unheard of in the rural areas and many are at a lossas to 'what to do with us' since we can't be relocated to otherwards - despite screaming out for midwifery staff. Some, like anything new, are veryresistant to change - mostly their own insecurities from what I can make out. Anyway, I arrived in Australia 18mths ago and applied at two hospitals for work - both turned me down because 1. I could not be relocated and 2. because they were 'too busy' training medical staff. I was also told that "I needed serious career advice if I thought I would ever be able to work in this country". That was from one individual but someone in a position who should have known better!!! You can imagine how that felt being a new, very enthusiastic graduate who had just sacrificed everything (family financesincluded)to survive the 3 year 'full-on' degree!! It was soul destroying to say the least and I now fully understand the term 'horizontal violence'! Fortunately for me - it just made me stronger and more determined! Why does this profession 'eat their young' instead of nuture them? I thought as midwives and as women - we were the nuturing types? I know this is not true of all but the few that are like this leave a very bad taste in my mouth. Anyway... Since my 'failed applications', I hadbeen working in the community 'with woman'the best way possible in the current environment but have just recently taken up an offer at one of the hospitals previously mentioned. It is funny how things eventually have an about turn and how midwifery shortagesdon't change. It seemed they were impressedby mywork in the community and my dedication to 'midwifery philosophy' and keeping birth normal where possible. They wanted ME as part of their team...It was a little hard to stomach at first and the concept of 'working in an obstetric model' is still very challenging each day when I drive to and from work. I strive to work as a midwife in a 'task orientated' environment where the focus is on the abnormal - either creating or correcting it. It's no easy task or for the faint hearted! I feel really sad that manymidwives in this country are unable to practice to their full potential and see midwifery for what it really is - or should be. Perhaps we can stand united and fight for improvements for not only women but for ourselves? We as women and midwives and mothersare a pretty strong force to be reckoned with! Food for thought! The hospital I am at are beginning to understand that Bach of Mid is here to stay and that we may well be the midwives of the future. Many rural hospitals down this way are yet to take that on board.I think that us 'new breed' of midwives have a lot to offer and lots of new ideas to share and vice versa. I also believe that 'together' - all of us, can make a real difference and bring midwifery in this country into the 21st century - well at least inline with our other western sisters. I live in hope. it's what keeps me going! I hope my sharing some of my experience, that you can appreciate what
Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid
Hi Kim I was interested in your comment about not being able to be relocated to other 'wards' - is that from your point of view or others'? I'm a current Bmidder at UniSA and in our first year, we did a 'general nursing' placement on a surgical wardto enhance confidence andskills in the areas of basic nursing (BP, TPR etc blah blah blah, changing dressings, catheters yadayada yada - you get the picture). When on mid placements, where some 'general' patients may also be, if 'mid' is quiet and I'm asked to care for these patients (even men), I'm more than happy to oblige. It can only enhance my knowledge and experience. As with yourself, I'm not anti-nurse, I just chose not to be one. I think if we are willing to do the extra bits to combat the myth that we can't do anything else, it can only help those who follow us and assist in changing the attitudes of those out there who are not so happy with the way mid education is going. In an ideal world, we wouldn't have to fight and argue so hard about our abilities and competence, but it's not an ideal world so I do the best I can with what I've got and take on just about anything! (within reason of course). Cheers Tania - Original Message - From: Kim Stead To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 6:55 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hello again Marcia and others interested in this thread. Thanks for your intro Marcia. It's always nice to knowwho you are talking to. I guess I have become a bit guardedregarding my midwifery qualification as it's been atorturous road to find a supportive environment in which to practice. I live rurally - Gippsland to be precise. DE midwives are virtually unheard of in the rural areas and many are at a lossas to 'what to do with us' since we can't be relocated to otherwards - despite screaming out for midwifery staff. Some, like anything new, are veryresistant to change - mostly their own insecurities from what I can make out. Anyway, I arrived in Australia 18mths ago and applied at two hospitals for work - both turned me down because 1. I could not be relocated and 2. because they were 'too busy' training medical staff. I was also told that "I needed serious career advice if I thought I would ever be able to work in this country". That was from one individual but someone in a position who should have known better!!! You can imagine how that felt being a new, very enthusiastic graduate who had just sacrificed everything (family financesincluded)to survive the 3 year 'full-on' degree!! It was soul destroying to say the least and I now fully understand the term 'horizontal violence'! Fortunately for me - it just made me stronger and more determined! Why does this profession 'eat their young' instead of nuture them? I thought as midwives and as women - we were the nuturing types? I know this is not true of all but the few that are like this leave a very bad taste in my mouth. Anyway... Since my 'failed applications', I hadbeen working in the community 'with woman'the best way possible in the current environment but have just recently taken up an offer at one of the hospitals previously mentioned. It is funny how things eventually have an about turn and how midwifery shortagesdon't change. It seemed they were impressedby mywork in the community and my dedication to 'midwifery philosophy' and keeping birth normal where possible. They wanted ME as part of their team...It was a little hard to stomach at first and the concept of 'working in an obstetric model' is still very challenging each day when I drive to and from work. I strive to work as a midwife in a 'task orientated' environment where the focus is on the abnormal - either creating or correcting it. It's no easy task or for the faint hearted! I feel really sad that manymidwives in this country are unable to practice to their full potential and see midwifery for what it really is - or should be. Perhaps we can stand united and fight for improvements for not only women but for ourselves? We as women and midwives and mothersare a pretty strong force to be reckoned with! Food for thought! The hospital I am at are beginning to understand that Bach of Mid is here to stay and that we may well be the midwives of the future. Many rural hospitals down this way are yet to take that on board.I think that us 'new breed' of midwives have a lot to offer and lots of
Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid
hi all I have just got off the phone from a large nursing agency to be told that as a Bach mid grad they would not employ me as once again the hospitals concerned would not have us working in their wards. I was then told that I should have kept my enrolled nurse status and not registered as a midwife and then continued on to do a nursing degree. unfortunately this is not what I wanted to do like Tanya I wanted tobe a midwife not a nurse. is anyone else finding this in the eastern states that nursing agencies don't want to employ Bach of nursing grads their excuse to me was lame as the only wards which we would be sent to is mid and scbu. as far as I can see there is no difference in doing the nursing degree and then going to a agency to work with no experience as just doing the mid degree. again us Bach of midders are going to have to re educate the whole nursing profession.sharon - Original Message - From: Tania Laurie To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 11:27 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hi Kim I was interested in your comment about not being able to be relocated to other 'wards' - is that from your point of view or others'? I'm a current Bmidder at UniSA and in our first year, we did a 'general nursing' placement on a surgical wardto enhance confidence andskills in the areas of basic nursing (BP, TPR etc blah blah blah, changing dressings, catheters yadayada yada - you get the picture). When on mid placements, where some 'general' patients may also be, if 'mid' is quiet and I'm asked to care for these patients (even men), I'm more than happy to oblige. It can only enhance my knowledge and experience. As with yourself, I'm not anti-nurse, I just chose not to be one. I think if we are willing to do the extra bits to combat the myth that we can't do anything else, it can only help those who follow us and assist in changing the attitudes of those out there who are not so happy with the way mid education is going. In an ideal world, we wouldn't have to fight and argue so hard about our abilities and competence, but it's not an ideal world so I do the best I can with what I've got and take on just about anything! (within reason of course). Cheers Tania - Original Message - From: Kim Stead To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 6:55 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hello again Marcia and others interested in this thread. Thanks for your intro Marcia. It's always nice to knowwho you are talking to. I guess I have become a bit guardedregarding my midwifery qualification as it's been atorturous road to find a supportive environment in which to practice. I live rurally - Gippsland to be precise. DE midwives are virtually unheard of in the rural areas and many are at a lossas to 'what to do with us' since we can't be relocated to otherwards - despite screaming out for midwifery staff. Some, like anything new, are veryresistant to change - mostly their own insecurities from what I can make out. Anyway, I arrived in Australia 18mths ago and applied at two hospitals for work - both turned me down because 1. I could not be relocated and 2. because they were 'too busy' training medical staff. I was also told that "I needed serious career advice if I thought I would ever be able to work in this country". That was from one individual but someone in a position who should have known better!!! You can imagine how that felt being a new, very enthusiastic graduate who had just sacrificed everything (family financesincluded)to survive the 3 year 'full-on' degree!! It was soul destroying to say the least and I now fully understand the term 'horizontal violence'! Fortunately for me - it just made me stronger and more determined! Why does this profession 'eat their young' instead of nuture them? I thought as midwives and as women - we were the nuturing types? I know this is not true of all but the few that are like this leave a very bad taste in my mouth. Anyway... Since my 'failed applications', I hadbeen working in the community 'with woman'the best way possible in the current environment but have just recently taken up an offer at one of the hospitals previously mentioned. It is funny how things eventually have an about turn and how midwifery shortagesdon't change. It seemed they were impressedby mywork in the community and my
Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid
Hi Tania, I am a direct entry midwife trained in the UK which is the same as your BMid course. I work in Perth, and even though I was an auxiliary nurse before training (no certification), I am not insured to do 'adult nursing' - that means I cannot relieve for meal breaks in emergency or work shifts in gynae or adult special care. It isn't because I don't want to, my WA registration forbids it. You need to be sure your registration and hospital is actually covering you for any tasks you perform outside your midwifery practice. There are 50 direct entry trained midwives here, and this applies to all of us. I also did 'general' placements in my 3 year training course, but that does not give you an RN certification. Cheers, Sadie - Original Message - From: Tania Laurie To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 11:57 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hi Kim I was interested in your comment about not being able to be relocated to other 'wards' - is that from your point of view or others'? I'm a current Bmidder at UniSA and in our first year, we did a 'general nursing' placement on a surgical wardto enhance confidence andskills in the areas of basic nursing (BP, TPR etc blah blah blah, changing dressings, catheters yadayada yada - you get the picture). When on mid placements, where some 'general' patients may also be, if 'mid' is quiet and I'm asked to care for these patients (even men), I'm more than happy to oblige. It can only enhance my knowledge and experience. As with yourself, I'm not anti-nurse, I just chose not to be one. I think if we are willing to do the extra bits to combat the myth that we can't do anything else, it can only help those who follow us and assist in changing the attitudes of those out there who are not so happy with the way mid education is going. In an ideal world, we wouldn't have to fight and argue so hard about our abilities and competence, but it's not an ideal world so I do the best I can with what I've got and take on just about anything! (within reason of course). Cheers Tania - Original Message - From: Kim Stead To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 6:55 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hello again Marcia and others interested in this thread. Thanks for your intro Marcia. It's always nice to knowwho you are talking to. I guess I have become a bit guardedregarding my midwifery qualification as it's been atorturous road to find a supportive environment in which to practice. I live rurally - Gippsland to be precise. DE midwives are virtually unheard of in the rural areas and many are at a lossas to 'what to do with us' since we can't be relocated to otherwards - despite screaming out for midwifery staff. Some, like anything new, are veryresistant to change - mostly their own insecurities from what I can make out. Anyway, I arrived in Australia 18mths ago and applied at two hospitals for work - both turned me down because 1. I could not be relocated and 2. because they were 'too busy' training medical staff. I was also told that "I needed serious career advice if I thought I would ever be able to work in this country". That was from one individual but someone in a position who should have known better!!! You can imagine how that felt being a new, very enthusiastic graduate who had just sacrificed everything (family financesincluded)to survive the 3 year 'full-on' degree!! It was soul destroying to say the least and I now fully understand the term 'horizontal violence'! Fortunately for me - it just made me stronger and more determined! Why does this profession 'eat their young' instead of nuture them? I thought as midwives and as women - we were the nuturing types? I know this is not true of all but the few that are like this leave a very bad taste in my mouth. Anyway... Since my 'failed applications', I hadbeen working in the community 'with woman'the best way possible in the current environment but have just recently taken up an offer at one of the hospitals previously mentioned. It is funny how things eventually have an about turn and how midwifery shortagesdon't change. It seemed they were impressedby mywork in the community and my dedication to 'midwifery philosophy' and keeping birth normal where possible. They wanted ME as part of their team...It was a l
Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid
hi Sadie as a de midwife iam employed by aprivate hospital ( as well as a large hospital for women here in sa. We are also not allowed to relieve for meal breaks ect or allowed to work in any other areas except for mid/ neonatal as the registration does not allow this. There is a bridging course for anyone who wants to do this. One year. At the small private hospital iam on their casual pool if there are no mid patients then I don't get any work (which has been the case for the last two weeks) iam at present waiting for my GMP to start , at the women's hospital so I can get regular work. regards. - Original Message - From: Sadie To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 12:24 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hi Tania, I am a direct entry midwife trained in the UK which is the same as your BMid course. I work in Perth, and even though I was an auxiliary nurse before training (no certification), I am not insured to do 'adult nursing' - that means I cannot relieve for meal breaks in emergency or work shifts in gynae or adult special care. It isn't because I don't want to, my WA registration forbids it. You need to be sure your registration and hospital is actually covering you for any tasks you perform outside your midwifery practice. There are 50 direct entry trained midwives here, and this applies to all of us. I also did 'general' placements in my 3 year training course, but that does not give you an RN certification. Cheers, Sadie - Original Message - From: Tania Laurie To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 11:57 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hi Kim I was interested in your comment about not being able to be relocated to other 'wards' - is that from your point of view or others'? I'm a current Bmidder at UniSA and in our first year, we did a 'general nursing' placement on a surgical wardto enhance confidence andskills in the areas of basic nursing (BP, TPR etc blah blah blah, changing dressings, catheters yadayada yada - you get the picture). When on mid placements, where some 'general' patients may also be, if 'mid' is quiet and I'm asked to care for these patients (even men), I'm more than happy to oblige. It can only enhance my knowledge and experience. As with yourself, I'm not anti-nurse, I just chose not to be one. I think if we are willing to do the extra bits to combat the myth that we can't do anything else, it can only help those who follow us and assist in changing the attitudes of those out there who are not so happy with the way mid education is going. In an ideal world, we wouldn't have to fight and argue so hard about our abilities and competence, but it's not an ideal world so I do the best I can with what I've got and take on just about anything! (within reason of course). Cheers Tania - Original Message - From: Kim Stead To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 6:55 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hello again Marcia and others interested in this thread. Thanks for your intro Marcia. It's always nice to knowwho you are talking to. I guess I have become a bit guardedregarding my midwifery qualification as it's been atorturous road to find a supportive environment in which to practice. I live rurally - Gippsland to be precise. DE midwives are virtually unheard of in the rural areas and many are at a lossas to 'what to do with us' since we can't be relocated to otherwards - despite screaming out for midwifery staff. Some, like anything new, are veryresistant to change - mostly their own insecurities from what I can make out. Anyway, I arrived in Australia 18mths ago and applied at two hospitals for work - both turned me down because 1. I could not be relocated and 2. because they were 'too busy' training medical staff. I was also told that "I needed serious career advice if I thought I would ever be able to work in this country". That was from one individual but someone in a position who should have known better!!! You can imagine how that felt being a new, very enthusiastic graduate who had just sacrificed everything (family financesincluded)to survive the 3 year 'full-on' degree!! It was soul destroying to say the least and I now fully understand the term '
Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid
Hello to all Bmidders! Now don't give up. But also, while I hear and almost feel your anger Kim, if you are not careful that will come across at job interviews. The world of nursing changes slowly although being an oldie myself, it didn't change for decades but we are in a cycle of change now. Please be patient. CONGRATULATIONS on finally getting into the mid unit. However, it will be important that you gain acceptance as part of the team. I try to show my students the value of being a midwife in all situations, yes even the medical model. The women stillneed a midwife! There is so much that I could write here as I see both sides of the fence, I have had to embrace change. Those who have graduate positions will not find moving into the hopital system so difficult. These days hospitals are more worried about their dollar so they want to employ nurses/midwives who are 'multiskilled'.It is far easier for them to send a midwife to a general ward than to put on a bank or agency nurse. At our hospital. Bmidders will be incorporated into the general nurse study days at times.as part of their grad year. Don't lose sight of the big picture. Have you thought of writing an article to published in the ACMI journal. They encourage students to write in, they would be interested in your story Kim. marcia - Original Message - From: shaz42 To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 12:29 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid hi all I have just got off the phone from a large nursing agency to be told that as a Bach mid grad they would not employ me as once again the hospitals concerned would not have us working in their wards. I was then told that I should have kept my enrolled nurse status and not registered as a midwife and then continued on to do a nursing degree. unfortunately this is not what I wanted to do like Tanya I wanted tobe a midwife not a nurse. is anyone else finding this in the eastern states that nursing agencies don't want to employ Bach of nursing grads their excuse to me was lame as the only wards which we would be sent to is mid and scbu. as far as I can see there is no difference in doing the nursing degree and then going to a agency to work with no experience as just doing the mid degree. again us Bach of midders are going to have to re educate the whole nursing profession.sharon - Original Message - From: Tania Laurie To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 11:27 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hi Kim I was interested in your comment about not being able to be relocated to other 'wards' - is that from your point of view or others'? I'm a current Bmidder at UniSA and in our first year, we did a 'general nursing' placement on a surgical wardto enhance confidence andskills in the areas of basic nursing (BP, TPR etc blah blah blah, changing dressings, catheters yadayada yada - you get the picture). When on mid placements, where some 'general' patients may also be, if 'mid' is quiet and I'm asked to care for these patients (even men), I'm more than happy to oblige. It can only enhance my knowledge and experience. As with yourself, I'm not anti-nurse, I just chose not to be one. I think if we are willing to do the extra bits to combat the myth that we can't do anything else, it can only help those who follow us and assist in changing the attitudes of those out there who are not so happy with the way mid education is going. In an ideal world, we wouldn't have to fight and argue so hard about our abilities and competence, but it's not an ideal world so I do the best I can with what I've got and take on just about anything! (within reason of course). Cheers Tania - Original Message - From: Kim Stead To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 6:55 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hello again Marcia and others interested in this thread. Thanks for your intro Marcia. It's always nice to knowwho you are talking to. I guess I have become a bit guardedregarding my midwifery qualification as it's been atorturous road to find a supportive environment in which to practice. I live rurally - Gippsland to be precise. DE midwives are virtually unheard of in the rural areas and many are at a lossas to 'what to do with us' since we can't be relocated to otherwards - despite screaming out for midwifery staff. Some, like anything new, are veryresistant to change - mostly their own
Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid
Interesting to hear this from an agency, although I am not surprised. Agencies will feel very nervous about a new breed of midwives. In fact I think this will be common to anyone who has not worked with theBmidders as students. I feel there needs to be another kind of stepping stone particularly for those who did not get graduate positions. marcia - Original Message - From: shaz42 To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 12:29 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid hi all I have just got off the phone from a large nursing agency to be told that as a Bach mid grad they would not employ me as once again the hospitals concerned would not have us working in their wards. I was then told that I should have kept my enrolled nurse status and not registered as a midwife and then continued on to do a nursing degree. unfortunately this is not what I wanted to do like Tanya I wanted tobe a midwife not a nurse. is anyone else finding this in the eastern states that nursing agencies don't want to employ Bach of nursing grads their excuse to me was lame as the only wards which we would be sent to is mid and scbu. as far as I can see there is no difference in doing the nursing degree and then going to a agency to work with no experience as just doing the mid degree. again us Bach of midders are going to have to re educate the whole nursing profession.sharon - Original Message - From: Tania Laurie To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 11:27 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hi Kim I was interested in your comment about not being able to be relocated to other 'wards' - is that from your point of view or others'? I'm a current Bmidder at UniSA and in our first year, we did a 'general nursing' placement on a surgical wardto enhance confidence andskills in the areas of basic nursing (BP, TPR etc blah blah blah, changing dressings, catheters yadayada yada - you get the picture). When on mid placements, where some 'general' patients may also be, if 'mid' is quiet and I'm asked to care for these patients (even men), I'm more than happy to oblige. It can only enhance my knowledge and experience. As with yourself, I'm not anti-nurse, I just chose not to be one. I think if we are willing to do the extra bits to combat the myth that we can't do anything else, it can only help those who follow us and assist in changing the attitudes of those out there who are not so happy with the way mid education is going. In an ideal world, we wouldn't have to fight and argue so hard about our abilities and competence, but it's not an ideal world so I do the best I can with what I've got and take on just about anything! (within reason of course). Cheers Tania - Original Message - From: Kim Stead To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 6:55 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hello again Marcia and others interested in this thread. Thanks for your intro Marcia. It's always nice to knowwho you are talking to. I guess I have become a bit guardedregarding my midwifery qualification as it's been atorturous road to find a supportive environment in which to practice. I live rurally - Gippsland to be precise. DE midwives are virtually unheard of in the rural areas and many are at a lossas to 'what to do with us' since we can't be relocated to otherwards - despite screaming out for midwifery staff. Some, like anything new, are veryresistant to change - mostly their own insecurities from what I can make out. Anyway, I arrived in Australia 18mths ago and applied at two hospitals for work - both turned me down because 1. I could not be relocated and 2. because they were 'too busy' training medical staff. I was also told that "I needed serious career advice if I thought I would ever be able to work in this country". That was from one individual but someone in a position who should have known better!!! You can imagine how that felt being a new, very enthusiastic graduate who had just sacrificed everything (family financesincluded)to survive the 3 year 'full-on' degree!! It was soul destroying to say the least and I now fully understand the term 'horizontal violence'! Fortunately for me - it just made me stronger and more determined
Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid
Hi Sadie I understand what you're saying about the RN certification etc. It just seems that, from my perspective at least, that in some units staff seem to think that because we are direct entry midders we know nothing - because we don't have the RN registration behind us also. So, therefore, when ona placement and I'm asked to do 'whatever', I jump at the chance if for no other reason than to prove them wrong and to show we are willing (and able) to do other stuff!!Yes, I may ask lots of questions along the way, but I'd much rather do that and be seen as someone prepared to have a go rather than sit back and say, sorry can't do that. A bit of a waffle I know, but I'm getting a little frustrated and tired of defending my choice to do direct entry mid to those who are not even willing to take a look at what our program entails .. Sorry, I know that's a bit off the track of what you were saying Sadie. I do understand completely what you are saying about practice outside what our registration covers. Please, nobody be offended by what I have said here, this comes from experiences I have had as a Bmid student and is not directed at anybody on this list. Ho hum, things can only get better! Tania - Original Message - From: Sadie To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 12:24 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hi Tania, I am a direct entry midwife trained in the UK which is the same as your BMid course. I work in Perth, and even though I was an auxiliary nurse before training (no certification), I am not insured to do 'adult nursing' - that means I cannot relieve for meal breaks in emergency or work shifts in gynae or adult special care. It isn't because I don't want to, my WA registration forbids it. You need to be sure your registration and hospital is actually covering you for any tasks you perform outside your midwifery practice. There are 50 direct entry trained midwives here, and this applies to all of us. I also did 'general' placements in my 3 year training course, but that does not give you an RN certification. Cheers, Sadie - Original Message - From: Tania Laurie To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 11:57 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hi Kim I was interested in your comment about not being able to be relocated to other 'wards' - is that from your point of view or others'? I'm a current Bmidder at UniSA and in our first year, we did a 'general nursing' placement on a surgical wardto enhance confidence andskills in the areas of basic nursing (BP, TPR etc blah blah blah, changing dressings, catheters yadayada yada - you get the picture). When on mid placements, where some 'general' patients may also be, if 'mid' is quiet and I'm asked to care for these patients (even men), I'm more than happy to oblige. It can only enhance my knowledge and experience. As with yourself, I'm not anti-nurse, I just chose not to be one. I think if we are willing to do the extra bits to combat the myth that we can't do anything else, it can only help those who follow us and assist in changing the attitudes of those out there who are not so happy with the way mid education is going. In an ideal world, we wouldn't have to fight and argue so hard about our abilities and competence, but it's not an ideal world so I do the best I can with what I've got and take on just about anything! (within reason of course). Cheers Tania - Original Message - From: Kim Stead To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 6:55 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hello again Marcia and others interested in this thread. Thanks for your intro Marcia. It's always nice to knowwho you are talking to. I guess I have become a bit guardedregarding my midwifery qualification as it's been atorturous road to find a supportive environment in which to practice. I live rurally - Gippsland to be precise. DE midwives are virtually unheard of in the rural areas and many are at a lossas to 'what to do with us' since we can't be relocated to otherwards - despite screaming out for midwifery staff. Some, like anything new, are veryresistant to change - mostly their own insecurities from what I can make out. Anyway, I arrived in Australia 18mths ago and applied at two hospitals for work - both turned me down because 1. I could not be relocated and 2. because
Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid
HiTania Just a quick reply as I am about to run out the door. Not being able tobe relocated to other wards is not my point of view at all, but rather a restriction on my registration.Here in Vic,we are registered as Div 1nurses with restrictions to practice mid only. I understand that inSA, youwill be registering as midwives. It is something that you will need to clarify with your own nurses board but I would assume that you too could be working in a very 'grey' area caring for general medical cases?? Maybe someone else on the list could enlighten you on that one? I guess it's a matter of looking at our scope of practice not what we feel we are able to do? I don't know - just speculating. I am not against looking after gynae patients etc but I am notwilling to put my neck on the line if technically, I am not allowed to do this and heaven forbid - something goesterribly wrong. I think the hospital feel the same way and it's no big stress as there are enough staff to do this on the odd occasion that it happens. The manager knows I am better allocated in other areas. I can takethe basic obs you refer to so that's not the issue and it's certainly not an insecurity on my part. The staff who I work with are allfantastic so I don't have issues with fitting in, being accepted etc and while Imay have appeared negative in my post,Ido try to make the most of situation I'm just frustrated by the limations placed on our practice, particularly here in the rural areas. The relocationissues with employment is morea managerial, cost effectiveness thing that has been discussed in another thread. I am not accountable to the board for finances so will leave that to the experts. Kim :-) ---Original Message--- From: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Date: 02/15/05 12:14:53 To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid yourself, I'm not anti-nurse, I just chose not to be one. I think if we are willing to do the extra bits to combat the myth that we can't do anything else, it can only help those who follow us and assist in changing the attitudes of those out there who are not so happy with the way mid education is going. In an ideal world, we wouldn't have to fight and argue so hard about our abilities and competence, but it's not an ideal world so I do the best I can with what I've got and take on just about anything! (within reason of course). Cheers Tania - Original Message - From: Kim Stead To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 6:55 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hello again Marcia and others interested in this thread. Thanks for your intro Marcia. It's always nice to knowwho you are talking to. I guess I have become a bit guardedregarding my midwifery qualification as it's been atorturous road to find a supportive environment in which to practice. I live rurally - Gippsland to be precise. DE midwives are virtually unheard of in the rural areas and many are at a lossas to 'what to do with us' since we can't be relocated to otherwards - despite screaming out for midwifery staff. Some, like anything new, are veryresistant to change - mostly their own insecurities from what I can make out. Anyway, I arrived in Australia 18mths ago and applied at two hospitals for work - both turned me down because 1. I could not be relocated and 2. because they were 'too busy' training medical staff. I was also told that "I needed serious career advice if I thought I would ever be able to work in this country". That was from one individual but someone in a position who should have known better!!! You can imagine how that felt being a new, very enthusiastic graduate who had just sacrificed everything (family financesincluded)to survive the 3 year 'full-on' degree!! It was soul destroying to say the least and I now fully understand the term 'horizontal violence'! Fortunately for me - it just made me stronger and more determined! Why does this profession 'eat their young' instead of nuture them? I thought as midwives and as women - we were the nuturing types? I know this is not true of all but the few that are like this leave a very bad taste in my mouth. Anyway... Since my 'failed applications', I hadbeen working in the community 'with woman'the best way possible in the current environment but have just recently taken up an offer at one of the hospitals previously mentioned. It is funny how things eventually have an about turn and how midwifery shortagesdon't change. It seemed they were impressedby mywork in the community and my dedication to 'midwifery philosophy' and keeping birth normal where possible. They wanted ME as part of their team...It was a little hard to stomach at first and the concept of 'working in an obstetric model' is still very challenging each day when I drive to and from work. I strive to work as a midwife in a 'task orientated' environment where the focus is on the abnormal - either creating or correctin
Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid
Hang in there all you lot, it must be hard I know. Here is one RN trained midwife (and I too am jealous - there was no B-mid when I started my training) who will stick up for the B-mid course and its participants at every opportunity (and there are a few). I think you're right, whoever said it was fear of change. Regarding the horizontal violence, I remember reading about it being rife amongst groups of oppressed people, e.g. slaves. The research addressed the fact that nursing and (whether we like it or not) most midwifery is medically managed, and that nurses and midwives are therefore an oppressed group (by the medical profession - read here very little autonomy). As an oppressed group, horizontal violence emerges as a kind of outlet - extremely negative for all involved. Otheroutletsfor this kind of oppression (and I am not comparing nursing or midwifery to slavery directly by any means) are taking on the characteristics of the dominant group, take from that what you will, but I think I have seen it. I guess here too you couldthink aboutresearch like that done by Mavis Kirkham, who claims that midwives who work in institutions (and therefore are answerable to doctors, and also institutional policy are in a constant state of conflict, because she is therefore not able to commit fully to being first and foremost the woman's advocate, as much as she might want to. The only way to fully be present to the woman is for the woman and midwife to have a relationship outside of any institution or medical control, i.e. independent practice. You could say this relates back to the first point also, it is hard to imagine a group of independent midwives 'eating their young', only of being supportive. Anyway, that's my rave for the day. Liz. - Original Message - From: Tania Laurie To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 4:50 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hi Sadie I understand what you're saying about the RN certification etc. It just seems that, from my perspective at least, that in some units staff seem to think that because we are direct entry midders we know nothing - because we don't have the RN registration behind us also. So, therefore, when ona placement and I'm asked to do 'whatever', I jump at the chance if for no other reason than to prove them wrong and to show we are willing (and able) to do other stuff!!Yes, I may ask lots of questions along the way, but I'd much rather do that and be seen as someone prepared to have a go rather than sit back and say, sorry can't do that. A bit of a waffle I know, but I'm getting a little frustrated and tired of defending my choice to do direct entry mid to those who are not even willing to take a look at what our program entails .. Sorry, I know that's a bit off the track of what you were saying Sadie. I do understand completely what you are saying about practice outside what our registration covers. Please, nobody be offended by what I have said here, this comes from experiences I have had as a Bmid student and is not directed at anybody on this list. Ho hum, things can only get better! Tania - Original Message - From: Sadie To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 12:24 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hi Tania, I am a direct entry midwife trained in the UK which is the same as your BMid course. I work in Perth, and even though I was an auxiliary nurse before training (no certification), I am not insured to do 'adult nursing' - that means I cannot relieve for meal breaks in emergency or work shifts in gynae or adult special care. It isn't because I don't want to, my WA registration forbids it. You need to be sure your registration and hospital is actually covering you for any tasks you perform outside your midwifery practice. There are 50 direct entry trained midwives here, and this applies to all of us. I also did 'general' placements in my 3 year training course, but that does not give you an RN certification. Cheers, Sadie - Original Message - From: Tania Laurie To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 11:57 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hi Kim I was interested in your comment about not being able to be relocated to other 'wards' - is that from your point of view or others'? I'm a current Bmidder at UniSA and in our first year, we did a 'general nursing' placement on a surgical wardto enhance confidence andskills in the areas of basic nursing (BP, TPR etc blah blah blah, changing dressings, catheters yadayada yada - you get the picture). When on mid placements
Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid
Hi Tania, I understand how keen you are,but all of us have to practice within the constraints of what we are registered and trained to do, otherwise we could face legal issues.Bmidders are trained in basicnursingskills and specific ones appropriate to caring for women.Those skills may transfer tosome situations but not others. Take care! Marcia - Original Message - From: Tania Laurie To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 5:20 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hi Sadie I understand what you're saying about the RN certification etc. It just seems that, from my perspective at least, that in some units staff seem to think that because we are direct entry midders we know nothing - because we don't have the RN registration behind us also. So, therefore, when ona placement and I'm asked to do 'whatever', I jump at the chance if for no other reason than to prove them wrong and to show we are willing (and able) to do other stuff!!Yes, I may ask lots of questions along the way, but I'd much rather do that and be seen as someone prepared to have a go rather than sit back and say, sorry can't do that. A bit of a waffle I know, but I'm getting a little frustrated and tired of defending my choice to do direct entry mid to those who are not even willing to take a look at what our program entails .. Sorry, I know that's a bit off the track of what you were saying Sadie. I do understand completely what you are saying about practice outside what our registration covers. Please, nobody be offended by what I have said here, this comes from experiences I have had as a Bmid student and is not directed at anybody on this list. Ho hum, things can only get better! Tania - Original Message - From: Sadie To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 12:24 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hi Tania, I am a direct entry midwife trained in the UK which is the same as your BMid course. I work in Perth, and even though I was an auxiliary nurse before training (no certification), I am not insured to do 'adult nursing' - that means I cannot relieve for meal breaks in emergency or work shifts in gynae or adult special care. It isn't because I don't want to, my WA registration forbids it. You need to be sure your registration and hospital is actually covering you for any tasks you perform outside your midwifery practice. There are 50 direct entry trained midwives here, and this applies to all of us. I also did 'general' placements in my 3 year training course, but that does not give you an RN certification. Cheers, Sadie - Original Message - From: Tania Laurie To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 11:57 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hi Kim I was interested in your comment about not being able to be relocated to other 'wards' - is that from your point of view or others'? I'm a current Bmidder at UniSA and in our first year, we did a 'general nursing' placement on a surgical wardto enhance confidence andskills in the areas of basic nursing (BP, TPR etc blah blah blah, changing dressings, catheters yadayada yada - you get the picture). When on mid placements, where some 'general' patients may also be, if 'mid' is quiet and I'm asked to care for these patients (even men), I'm more than happy to oblige. It can only enhance my knowledge and experience. As with yourself, I'm not anti-nurse, I just chose not to be one. I think if we are willing to do the extra bits to combat the myth that we can't do anything else, it can only help those who follow us and assist in changing the attitudes of those out there who are not so happy with the way mid education is going. In an ideal world, we wouldn't have to fight and argue so hard about our abilities and competence, but it's not an ideal world so I do the best I can with what I've got and take on just about anything! (within reason of course). Cheers Tania - Original Message - From: Kim Stead To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 6:55 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Bach Mid Hello again Marcia and others interested in this thread. Thanks for your intro Marcia. It's always nice to knowwho you are talking to. I guess I have become a bit guardedregarding my
