Lucy Paruit
"I've recently started my one day a week midwifery placement in the community and it’s great to learn skills from my mentor and other midwives on the job."
Course
Midwifery (Registered Midwife) BSc (Hons)Why I chose Surrey
Midwifery was something that found me. I had previously thought about becoming an early years teacher, so had first trained and worked as a nursery nurse. I worked for about three years in the baby room at a nursery, and really enjoyed my role. I'm passionate about families, and loved handovers and meetings where I could engage with parents.
In the baby room, you form a unique relationship with parents. You need to build trust and compassion as the first person, aside from family, they trust to care for their child. This relationship was one I decided I would love to adapt to a midwifery perspective – building trusting relationships with women and their families throughout their care.
Living in Farnborough, I was aware of the University of Surrey and its great reputation for health sciences. Through volunteering and through old school friends, I was able to meet current midwifery students and they all spoke highly of the midwifery course. Attending open days and starting volunteering really were the steps that put the wheels in motion on my journey into midwifery.
My clinical placements
As a huge part of this degree, a clinical placement is essential. I've very recently started my one day a week midwifery placement in the community. I'm placed very close to my home, so travel is extremely easy. It’s great to learn skills from your mentor and other midwives on the job, some of which you just can’t learn from studying. Although I’ve only just started my placement, I'm loving every minute of it!
"Get as much experience as you can. It's so important, not just for helping your application, but for helping you to decide if it’s the right career for you."
My career and development
It’s amazing to be a whole semester in now, and I can’t wait to start full-time placement in April! I'm also a course rep and am really enjoying getting involved in shaping the course for mine, and future cohorts.
My advice
Attend an open day! I went to one and found out I needed to complete an access course before making my application to the full-time midwifery degree. I found the whole experience helped me make a decision and it was a fantastic opportunity to speak to and gain advice from current students and staff, and to see the facilities and campus.
Get as much experience as you can. It's so important, not just for helping your application, but even more so for helping you to decide if it’s the right career for you. It’s an invaluable insight into the world you are about to immerse yourself in.
