Current job - Nursing & Midwifery workforce manager 

What you enjoy about your role - I enjoy the variety. My role involves working with midwifery colleagues across North East and Yorkshire which covers 21 different maternity units. I enjoy working with universities, maternity units, students and midwives in different roles to support the midwifery workforce now and the future workforce. 

What you did before applying to study midwifery - I knew I wanted to be a midwife from very young. Because I decided early on about becoming a midwife, I chose my GCSE's and A levels around trying to get into to university to study midwifery. I studied Biology, Child development and health and social care. I worked part time as a waitress and in a clothing shop and volunteered in a residential home to try to place me well in my applications. I started my Midwifery studies at university at 18 years old and relocated 150 miles away from family for the place I had been offered at the University of Huddersfield. 

Why you wanted to become a midwife? - I loved science and biology and found pregnancy and childbirth fascinating. I wanted a career where I could make an impact and support people, so midwifery felt the obvious choice, I never wanted to do anything else. I think I was likely influenced by my mum and her passion for breastfeeding and supporting other mums. 

Any highlights in your career? - I was invited to represent midwifery at the Kings Birthday celebrations at Buckingham palace for the work I did in supporting internationally educated midwives. The photo is of me and three other amazing midwives at the palace; I am in the floral dress. I was also a finalist for a Nursing Times award. These were both huge privileges for me however my real highlight was at an event I held for 150 international midwives to celebrate all they bring to our workforce. Seeing a room full of midwives who I had gotten to know over the last two years who had overcome so many challenges, celebrating together gave me a buzz similar to the one you get when you are present at a birth.  I was also present for the births of my nieces and nephews. Advocating and supporting my siblings as they became parents is a feeling like no other. 

What advice would you give to any 'aspiring' midwives? 

Midwifery is beautiful, messy and hard all at the same time, but I don't think there is another job quite like it. You will never be perfect as you are only human. Some shifts you will go home feeling on cloud 9 and others feeling like you don't want to return, create support networks, ask for help and celebrate yours and others wins.