Mature student midwife lands dream job after work placement

A soon-to-be-qualified midwife from Teesside University has a job lined up at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust once she graduates.

Nicola Riley, 37, decided to retrain after wanting to become a midwife throughout her adult life and having children of her own.

The Hartlepool mother of two was accepted onto Teesside University’s midwife programme after completing her access course and has trained at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust on a work placement.

She has previously worked as a waitress, cleaner and an administration assistant for a haulage firm.

Nicola said: “I always wanted to be a midwife. My own experience of having my children inspired me.

“My partner Louis has been a huge support. You need your family behind you at this age because when you get in from the ward or university, there’s more academic work to do. He’s really done his bit.”

Training to become a midwife during a pandemic has also brought some challenges. Nicola added: “Online distance learning isn’t the same and we’ve not been able to do all of our practical training sessions, we’ve had to find new ways of training. But the university staff have been great and so have my midwifery colleagues and mentors. There’s so much support from everyone around you.”

Teesside University’s School of Health and Life Sciences is committed to developing highly skilled graduates who are confident and prepared to enter the real-world environment when they begin their careers.

Carlie Johnston-Blyth, Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching) in the School of Health and Life Sciences, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and we are delighted to hear that Nicola is fulfilling her dreams and making a success of her career after retraining in something she is passionate about.

“We are extremely pleased to have been able to support her on this journey and that her work is making an impact at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.”

Becky Eggleston, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust’s Deputy Head of Midwifery, said: “Nicola has worked incredibly hard to get to where she has. This isn’t an easy job to train for at any time, but to do it with a family shows real commitment and drive.

“Even during her training Nicola is a great addition to our team so we’re thrilled she’s going to stay with us when she qualifies in September.”

Nicola is encouraging other adults who are considering a return to education to retrain. She said: “Do it. It’s never too late to go back into education, to better yourself and to learn more.

“Don’t let anyone tell you it’s too late to change your life.”

---