Professional development planning as a midwife

Mandatory requirements 

Statutory and mandatory training – all registered midwives must complete required training including resuscitation, safeguarding, infection control, and medicines management. 

The Nursing and Midwifery Counci (NMC) revalidation – plan for your three-yearly revalidation requirements including practice hours, continuing professional development, and reflective accounts. 

Annual updates – stay current with training updates and any new requirements in your area of practice. 

Specialist development opportunities 

Birth-specific training – consider courses in water birth, home birth support, or specialist birth environments that interest you. 

High-risk pregnancy care – training in areas like diabetes in pregnancy, multiple pregnancies, or maternal mental health. 

Public health midwifery – courses focusing on health promotion, smoking cessation, or domestic violence awareness. 

Leadership and management – early exposure to leadership development programmes and management training. 

Research engagement – participate in clinical research projects, audit activities or quality improvement initiatives to build evidence-based practice skills and contribute to advancing midwifery knowledge. 

NHS England nursing and midwifery educator career framework – the upcoming educator career framework will provide structured pathways for professionals moving into education roles, offering clear progression routes and competency standards for those interested in teaching and training responsibilities. 

Advanced practice pathways 

Advanced Midwifery Practitioner roles – these positions require additional training and qualifications, typically involving independent prescribing, advanced clinical skills, and often master's level education. Advanced practitioners often specialise in areas like: 

• complex pregnancy and birth complications
• maternal medicine and high-risk pregnancies
• consultant midwifery roles
• independent midwifery practice 

Prescribing qualifications – many midwives progress to independent and supplementary prescribing qualifications, allowing them to prescribe medications within their scope of practice. 

Clinical specialist roles – develop expertise in specific areas such as perinatal mental health, infant feeding support, or safeguarding within maternity services. 

Education or research roles – working across the pillars of practice (clinical, leadership, education and research) can support practitioners to move into education and research roles. 

Health visiting pathway 

Health visiting as a career progression – many experienced midwives choose to train as health visitors, building on their knowledge of child and family health. This pathway typically requires: 

• several years of midwifery experience
• specialist community public health nursing qualification (health visiting)
• focus on child and family public health from birth to school age 

Skills transfer – your midwifery background provides excellent preparation for health visiting, particularly in: 

• understanding child development and family dynamics
• supporting maternal mental health and wellbeing
• working with vulnerable families
• health promotion and early intervention 

Training requirements – health visitor training is usually a one-year programme combining academic study with supervised practice placements. 

Career opportunities – health visitors work in community settings, children's centres, GP practices, and specialist teams focusing on areas like safeguarding or family support. 

Midwifery education pathway 

Midwifery educator roles – after gaining substantial clinical experience, many midwives move into education to teach the next generation of midwives. This career path typically involves:

• minimum of 5-7 years of clinical midwifery experience
• teaching qualifications and often master's or doctoral level education
• roles in universities, NHS organisations, or private training providers 

Teaching opportunities – midwifery educators work in various settings: 

• university lecturing on pre-registration midwifery programmes
• practice education in clinical settings
• continuing professional development training for qualified midwives
• simulation and skills laboratory teaching
• online learning development and delivery 

Skills development for education – preparation for education roles includes: 

• developing presentation and communication skills
• understanding adult learning principles
• gaining experience in mentoring and supervising students
• building expertise in curriculum development and assessment
• research skills and evidence-based practice knowledge

Career progression in education – education roles can lead to:

• senior lecturer and professorial positions
• programme leadership and curriculum development
• educational research and innovation
• international teaching and consultancy opportunities 

Long-term career planning 

Specialisation options – consider areas like community midwifery, consultant midwifery, or specialist roles in high-risk pregnancy care. 

Academic and research pathways – opportunities in midwifery education, research, and evidence-based practice development. 

Management and leadership – progression to team leadership, service management, or strategic roles in maternity services. 

International opportunities – consider how your UK qualification might open doors to midwifery practice abroad or international development work. 

Useful resources for career development 

Professional development resources 

NHS England – information about career pathways, training opportunities, and workforce development in healthcare. 

Advanced Practice Toolkit – guidance on advanced clinical practice roles and development pathways. 

Health Visiting Career Information – detailed information about health visiting careers, training requirements, and application processes. 

Institute of Health Visiting – professional body for health visitors offering career guidance, training opportunities, and professional development resources. 

Academic and research opportunities 

Nursing and Midwifery Council – information about professional standards, revalidation requirements, and scope of practice for advanced roles. 

Royal College of Midwives Research Hub – resources for evidence-based practice, research opportunities, and academic development. 

University partnerships – many universities offer part-time master's programmes specifically designed for working midwives and healthcare professionals. 

Education and teaching resources 

Higher Education Academy – professional development for those moving into higher education teaching roles. 

Midwifery Education Research Network – connect with other midwives interested in education and teaching opportunities. 

Teaching qualification programmes – many universities offer postgraduate certificates in education specifically for healthcare professionals.