Finding a midwifery apprenticeship requires networking, recommendations, and research. Word of mouth is key, as most vacancies are not posted. It’s important to find a preceptor you feel comfortable with and discuss payment before committing to a serious apprenticeship.
Landing a midwifery apprenticeship is usually a matter of making and maintaining contacts in the field, asking the right people for recommendations, and knowing where to look for opportunities. Apprenticeship is an important part of most midwives’ training and is required for licensure in some places. Still, finding a position – particularly one that’s a good fit – often requires a lot of legwork. Some midwifery certification programs put trainees in touch with potential mentors, known in the field as “preceptors,” but few actually guarantee internships.
Word of mouth is usually the best way to get a midwifery apprenticeship position, as most vacancies are not posted. Midwifery communities in most places are relatively small and are generally close-knit. If you are participating in a midwifery certification program, it is likely that your school maintains a list of midwives in the area who are willing to accept an apprenticeship idea. Searching online or contacting your local natural medicine and doula services is also a good place to start your search.
The most important part of finding a midwifery internship is locating a preceptor that you feel comfortable working with for an extended period of time. Most apprenticeships are intense individual learning opportunities, many of which last a full year, if not longer. Some natural birth centers offer internships where students work with several professionals at the same time, but this is more rare.
In both cases, the experience must be long and intense. Having a personal relationship with your teacher or teachers is essential to making the relationship work. For this reason, it is generally a good idea to meet and get to know many midwives before committing to an apprenticeship with any one of them.
It is important to realize that not all midwives use apprentices or are willing to hire them. In places where midwifery is not legal or strictly regulated, practitioners are likely to be much more reluctant to offer you training. The best thing to do is set up informational interviews with any and all midwives you might meet. Ask about their careers and training. Seeking broad advice can be a good way to discern if you are a match for the midwife and get an idea that you might enjoy learning midwifery from her.
When you find a midwife you would like to work under, ask about the possibility of partnering for a midwifery apprenticeship. Be prepared to demonstrate your dedication to the field, as well as your interest in this midwife’s work specifically. An apprenticeship is a serious commitment of time and resources and should not be taken lightly.
It’s also important to discuss payment and fees before starting. Different midwives have different policies regarding apprentices. Some will teach you for free in exchange for the help you provide. Others ask for a stipend or a small tuition payment, or expect you to participate in practices once the training is complete. Setting all expectations on the front end can help you narrow down the type of midwifery learning you want, as well as help set you up for success once you start practicing on your own.
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