Midwife
The specialist who is with a woman through pregnancy, birth and the first weeks after — and who catches the moment it stops being routine.
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- Typical pay
- €30k–€55k
- Usual education
- Nursing degree + 2-year midwifery residency
- Outlook
- Persistent shortage across Europe.
A day in the life
Antenatal clinics, labour support, deliveries, postnatal checks and breastfeeding help, on twelve-hour shifts.
Ways in
- Nursing degree
- EIR national exam
- Two-year obstetric and gynaecological nursing residency
- Hospital labour wards or health centres
What to study at 16
The subjects you choose for the final years of secondary school can shape which degrees, exams and careers are easiest to reach. This is about choosing courses, not choosing a school.
Spain
Bachillerato de Ciencias y Tecnología
Portugal
Ciências e Tecnologias
France
Bac général — spécialités
Germany
Oberstufe — Leistungskurse
Italy
Liceo scientifico
Netherlands
Profiel Natuur & Gezondheid
Exams you'll need
The gates between you and this job, and when each one comes.
EIR — Enfermero Interno Residente
Midwifery in Spain is an EIR specialty; there is no other route.
RequiredTest Professioni Sanitarie
Midwifery is a capped health profession degree in Italy.
Skills that matter
Best courses to take
The study routes that lead most directly into this career.
BSc Nursing
Clinical placements from year one leading to registration as a nurse.
Nursing comes first, always.
Helpful school subjects: Biology, Chemistry
Midwifery Residency (EIR)
Two paid years of specialist training after a nursing degree, based in labour wards and health centres.
The two-year paid specialisation.
Helpful school subjects: Obstetrics, Neonatal care, Sexual and reproductive health, Emergency deliveries
Places that hire for this
Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Hires across clinical teams, from placements to permanent posts.
Clínica Universidad de Navarra
Hires across clinical teams, from placements to permanent posts.
Comunidad de Madrid
Hires across clinical teams, from placements to permanent posts.
Elsan
Hires across clinical teams, from placements to permanent posts.
Erasmus MC
Hires across clinical teams, from placements to permanent posts.
Helios Health (Fresenius)
Hires across clinical teams, from placements to permanent posts.
Generalitat de Catalunya
Hires across clinical teams, from placements to permanent posts.
HM Hospitales
Hires across clinical teams, from placements to permanent posts.
Gruppo Ospedaliero Humanitas
Hires across clinical teams, from placements to permanent posts.
Junta de Andalucía
Hires across clinical teams, from placements to permanent posts.