The weekend before...

It's been a month since I've posted anything and it's definitely a liminal month, gradually psychologically sliding from full time registered nurse to student midwife. 

Funding and DBS are finally all in. The training grant and parental learning support took a while so it was good to see that done.

I bought myself a cheesy midwifery gift the other day:

It'll make for some interesting announcement graphics if nothing else!

Pre course reading

I've noticed that even though this might not be the most dazzling content filled blog, I've put more effort into it than my student nurse blog. This is no doubt saying something about my life overall and what l feel about midwife training!

Although, is train the right word? Is there a difference between train, learn, coach and mentor?

I'll pursue that line of thought later...

As part of my pre course reading, I've had to read the first chapter of:

It's a book I've had for a while now. It's written by various eminent people working within birth so each chapter has a different narrative style. The overriding feeling l get from this is that what is written in there is common sense and that it's a shame, to say the least, that the basic underlying issues causing the roar have still not been adequately addressed.

I've also finally laid my hands on a cheap copy of:

My fiance is very much into the Beats and associated psychedelia so by absorbing some of that culture I feel like I get this book a bit more on a cultural, rather than just a midwifery level.

According to my calculations, I have less than four weeks yesterday to go until I start! I have three shifts left at work before I start my annual leave.

I'm planning on starting jogging in September again and also maintaining my Callanetics regime so hopefully if I maintain before the course, it should be easier keeping it up down the line

DBS and Enrollment

It's pretty much as the title says... DBS underway and I've begun to enrol.

It feels like this is actually happening and I'm wondering exactly what I've gone and done with my life and that I need to see a phrenologist!

I feel a bit cautious about their online learning, mostly because I'm rather a technical Luddite and I just worry about any new system until I'm familiar with it.

I'm sure it will all become clear soon!

Clearing Clearances

This morning I've done my occupational health and DBS forms. Thankfully nothing on either to declare beyond a tendency to hayfever!

Hopefully the sign off for these won't take too long!

I still don't know where my placement is though. I'll ring them up later and chase that...

Study spaces

Yesterday I took delivery of this little bargain off a local selling group. It was precisely what I was looking for: a white corner desk!

I never really had a dedicated study space during my last degree. Mostly because the room this is in was my ex's computer room. I made do with the dining room table and precariously stacked books.

Most unis libraries have digital access so it wasn't too bad compared to my first time ever at uni, where not having dial up was VERY modern.

Less than six weeks to go...

Notices and new funding

Since my last post I've applied for the student loan via SFE and the Training Grant via NHS BSA.

Training Grant - isn't that just the bursary?!

It doesn't work as a bursary but call it a Grant and it does?!

The process was much simpler compared to three years ago. It felt like endless paperwork and sending off evidence in the post with a cover sheet. This was more like a few clicks, tippity tap and jobs a good 'un.

The UCAS embargo is on so won't hear about my placement until tomorrow I reckon. I hope so because it's the last piece of the puzzle I need...

Second post!

Hello once again! It's been a while since I've updated, mostly because I've not had much to say for myself on here. But, yes l have something blog worthy now!

In my previous post I mentioned how I'd appued to my local uni after the UCAS deadline. The application sat with this uni on an interview reserve list in case a space popped up.

It didn't and I was rejected by default, but it swas always a risk that was going to happen. However, they did say they'd guarantee me an interview for next cycle.

I then took another chance and contacted another nearby uni which is a 2 and a half hour drive to on theory days but placements are 90 mins hour forty five, unless I get one near the campus.

It took a while to get a response but on Thursday just gone I did my Zoom interview and on Friday morning, I found out that I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED!!!!

Yes, I am as they say IN!

So after I'd barged in to tell my fiance (who was sitting on the toilet at the time!) and played suitably celebratory music on the way to work later that day, I felt something I've not felt for a long time.

That I'm totally where I'm meant to be.

That's pretty liberating as l normally feel nearly there, but now I feel Here. Wherever Here is...

Immediate steps have been to add the offer to UCAS, apply for my student loan and also to the NHS Learning Support Fund. Formerly known as the bursary. It all comes back around eventually at the end of the day!

Next step, hand my notice in at work :) This is going to surprise them a bit to say the least...