Searching for your first registered midwife job

Graduate Guarantee

We understand that some students and newly registered midwives have faced uncertainty - from delays in job availability or frustrating gaps between completing education programmes and starting work.

To address this, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced the Graduate Guarantee: a commitment that every newly registered midwife in England will have the opportunity to enter the healthcare workforce.

This includes £8m to open up roles for newly qualified midwives in areas where they are needed.

Explore midwifery job search platforms for current vacancies.

Some roles will be available immediately, but others may take a little more time to open. We appreciate your patience as we work to make these opportunities available as quickly as possible.

Finding the right midwifery opportunity for you 

The NHS needs passionate, dedicated midwives to support women and families through pregnancy, birth and beyond. Your degree has prepared you well and employers recognise the value that newly qualified midwives bring to their maternity teams. 

Midwifery offers many opportunities as no midwifery career follows the same path. This guide will help you navigate finding job opportunities with confidence and locate the right role to start your midwifery career. 

Midwifery job search: frequently asked questions 

We have gathered questions you have been asking about your first midwifery job and responded to them on the midwifery job search: frequently asked questions webpage, which covers additional guidance for finding your first midwifery job, in addition to this student hub and signposted guidance and resources.

How to find midwifery job opportunities 

Through your midwifery placement providers 

Talk to your placement supervisors – Many midwifery students secure their first job through organisations where they completed placements. Speak to your practice supervisors and practice assessors about upcoming opportunities. 

Express your interest early – Let placement providers know you are interested in working for them after qualification.  

Network during placements – Build positive relationships with midwifery teams during your clinical experience. They may recommend you for positions or inform you about vacancies. 

If you are a midwifery apprentice 

Discuss with your line manager – Talk to your direct line manager about opportunities within your current organisation as you approach qualification. 

Contact your organisation's apprenticeship lead – They will know about progression routes and job opportunities for apprentices becoming qualified midwives. 

Explore different services – Consider whether you want to stay in your current area or move to a different maternity service within your organisation.

Online midwifery job search platforms 

NHS Jobs website – The main place to find NHS midwifery positions across England. Set up job alerts for midwifery roles in your preferred locations. 

NHS Professionals – NHS bank and temporary staffing agency that offers flexible midwifery work. This can be a good way to gain experience across different organisations and potentially lead to permanent positions. 

Organisation websites – Individual maternity services advertise their midwifery vacancies directly. Check regularly as positions can be posted at any time. 

Local job boards – Regional healthcare employers often advertise midwifery roles locally. Check your area's health and care partnership websites. 

Professional networks and support for newly qualified midwives 

University careers services – Your university may have partnerships with local maternity services and can help connect you with employers actively recruiting newly qualified midwives. 

Royal College of Midwives – Join the RCM to access their job board, networking events, and career support services specifically for midwifery professionals. They also have essential resources for newly qualified midwives. 

Professional networks – Connect with qualified midwives through professional events, social media groups, and local midwifery networks for job opportunities and advice. 

Health Careers – Visit NHS Health Careers website and live events for career planning support. 

Making the most of your search for your first midwifery job 

Start early – Begin looking for opportunities 3-6 months before you qualify. Some organisations recruit newly qualified midwives in cohorts. 

Be flexible with location – Consider roles in different areas or trusts to increase your opportunities and gain diverse experience. 

Consider different settings – Look at hospital, community, and birth centre roles to find what suits your interests and career goals. 

Use multiple sources – Don't rely on just one method of job searching. Use a combination of approaches to find the best opportunities. 

Types of roles to consider 

Newly qualified midwife programmes (preceptorships)  

Many organisations should offer structured preceptorship programmes specifically for newly qualified midwives which should offer enhanced support. 

Rotational positions  

Some organisations offer rotations through different areas of maternity care to help you decide your preferred specialism. 

Community and hospital roles 

Consider both settings to understand which environment suits your practice style and career aspirations. 

Bank work  

Flexible positions through NHS Professionals or organisation staff banks can provide valuable experience and may lead to permanent roles. If you work as a newly qualified midwife only on the bank, you will still need to be supported by a preceptorship programme. There are different preceptorship models provided by your employing organisation, including if it's a bank position through NHS Professionals. 

Ready to apply? 

Once you have found opportunities that interest you, the next step is creating strong applications that showcase your midwifery training and passion for supporting women and families. 

How to Apply for Midwifery Jobs – Get guidance on writing effective CVs, personal statements, and application forms for midwifery positions. 

Take your time to explore different opportunities and find roles where you can learn, grow and develop your midwifery skills with good support and mentorship.