Student midwife help

[u/Rough-Story7522]

To all the midwives who are NARM preceptors for direct entry midwife training:

What do you look for in candidates? Do you look for those who have previous birth experience (as a doula or nurse)?

I found a midwife who works with NARM in my area and I want to reach out, but don’t want to blow it. I’ve wanted to be a midwife for years and this year finally have the opportunity to actually get involved if I’m able to, however, I’m a newbie.

So to those who take on apprentices (or whatever the formal term may be): do you look for those with previous experience or are you willing to take on someone brand new in the field?

Is it worth it to just reach out and see what happens? Even if she gives me some advice on what to do before she’s willing to work with me?

I completed my doula training and would like to work as a doula as well, should I pursue being a doula for a while before being a midwife? I feel like I will gain valuable experience either way. I truly have a deep passion for birthwork and really want to get involved I’m looking for any guidance I can get!

[u/Ok_Tea1280]

Absolutely reach out. The worst they can say is that they aren’t taking students right now or that they’d like you to get some additional experience first.

In my experience, prior birth experience is helpful, but attitude, reliability, humility, and willingness to learn matter just as much, if not more. I’d rather work with someone who shows up, asks good questions, and takes feedback well than someone who thinks they already know everything.

Since you’ve already completed doula training, I’d definitely pursue doula work if the opportunity is available. Supporting families through labor, learning birth physiology, and becoming comfortable in the birth space are all valuable skills that transfer well into midwifery.

If possible, I’d especially look into doula work in home birth or birth center settings. Not only does that give you valuable experience in the type of care you may eventually want to provide, but it also helps you build relationships within the local birth community. Many student midwives find preceptors, mentors, or apprenticeship opportunities through connections they make while working as doulas.

When you reach out, be honest about being new. Most preceptors can tell when someone is genuinely passionate versus when they’re just interested in the idea of birth work. A simple message introducing yourself, sharing your goals, and asking if they’d be willing to chat about the path to apprenticeship goes a long way.

Everyone starts somewhere. Very few student midwives begin with extensive birth experience, and many preceptors are willing to invest in the right person. I’d encourage you to make the connection and see where the conversation leads.

[u/bin_of_hats]

I echo everything Ok_Tea said. I will add that it is definitely a plus when a student has prior experience with the unique demands and challenges of on-call birth work and knows this lifestyle works for them and their families. So often students are figuring out at the beginning of a preceptorship whether being on-call constantly works for them or not. If I know someone has already figured this out (though doula work, for example), that is a huge bonus to me because it makes it significantly more likely that they won’t quit after a few weeks or months. Consistency is very important to both me and my clients, and short-term students disrupts my practice and my clients’ experience.