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Life as a Midwifery Student
Many opportunities await you as a student at Bastyr University. Visit the Bastyr Student Life page for more information.
Being a Midwifery Student in Bastyr's Program
In addition to collaborating in the classroom, students develop many long-lasting friendships and even business partnerships. The intensity of the group learning experience in the midwifery program encourages the development of skills in group dynamics and group process.The Department of Midwifery is fortunate to have a rich mix of students with different backgrounds and goals for midwifery practice. Students range from 21 to 65 years of age, although most are between 25 and 45. Approximately half are parents, many of young children. Some have extensive previous midwifery or health care experience and others have little. Some have the minimum college required to enter the program and some have advanced degrees.
Time Expectations and Balance
A full-time student can expect to spend at least 40 hours per week involved in classes, study, online communications, and clinical training. The academic load is heavy, encompassing both theoretical and practical aspects of providing midwifery care. Online time can be scheduled at the student’s convenience; however, all students are required to participate regularly and to stay in pace with weekly learning activities.Although some full-time students have been able to maintain employment, attempting to do so may jeopardize your ability to succeed in the midwifery program. Coursework and clinical training require an intense commitment of time and energy. Additionally, the on-call aspect of practicum makes employment possible only if employers are willing to accommodate your on-call responsibilities to preceptors when you begin practicum.
Monthly onsite schedules are intensive and the days can be long. It is not uncommon for students to be in the classroom for 10 hours in a day, although every attempt is made to keep onsite days to eight hours.
Learning to balance school, clinic, being on call, job, and family responsibilities takes time and patience. The Department of Midwifery may appoint tutors for students if needed. Academic and psychological counseling is also available to students at risk, and general counseling is available to all students at the Counseling Center. Students are encouraged to turn to fellow students, personal support networks, and the Department of Midwifery faculty and staff for assistance in making the adjustments necessary to be a midwifery student.
Typically, the class size averages 14 students for the midwifery program. The student-teacher ratio may be as high as 18:1 for didactic classes and for skills labs. During clinical training, the ratio is generally 1:1.