Keshana Jeevaratnam

I have always wanted to work in health because of how practical and hands-on the work is. Initially, I didn’t realise midwifery was an option. I attended the UTS Open Day and was inspired; I loved hearing about all the clinical practice we would experience. Plus, I learned that in this degree, I would be able to combine my love of science and the human body with a profession that was highly interpersonal. 

I chose UTS for a variety of reasons. It was one of a few universities that offered a straight Bachelor of Midwifery without requiring a degree in nursing. After attending the Open Day as well, I fell in love with the atmosphere that UTS provided, and with the amazing facilities and labs that we would have access to. Plus, UTS achieved one of the highest rankings for nursing and midwifery programs in the world.

The most rewarding aspect of this degree has been the amazing and strong women that I get to interact with every day. It is truly an honour and privilege to be part of a woman’s pregnancy and birth and I am grateful to all the women that have allowed me to participate in their special journey. When a woman becomes a mother, whether it is for the first time or not, and the immense love that she has for her newborn, is truly what makes this profession rewarding.  

I have also made so many wonderful friends in this course. This degree has been challenging, physically and mentally, yet thanks to the support and understanding of my peers, I have been able to overcome the ups and the downs. I believe that this degree has matured me in a way that only my fellow students can understand, so it is a privilege to be surrounded by them.  

I loved my three years at UTS. Although we were regularly on placement, the support and pastoral care that I received from the midwifery lecturers and tutors was amazing. They were always willing to help, and they understood the stress of placement. They not only taught us, but genuinely cared about our wellbeing.

Studying this degree also gave me the opportunity to travel. I went to Tanzania for 2 weeks as a volunteer midwifery student. Seeing labour and birth in Tanzania was an incredibly confronting scene as it was very different to what I had experienced here in Australia. As challenging as it was at times, it was an amazing experience that allowed me to broaden my perspective of international midwifery. 

For current students, my advice is to give everything a try and get involved as much as possible. While observation is key to your learning, it is important to be open-minded and willing to learn new skills. Never be afraid to ask questions, as ultimately, it is for the benefit of the women you will care for. 

Another tip would be to have good friends at uni. Build up a strong support network with your peers. Placements are intense and can be very emotional, so stay connected to your peers as they are experiencing the same pressures as you. 

The last piece of advice I have is to look after yourself. Understand that in order to be able to provide the best care for others, you also have to care for yourself. This means that you need to make sure you make time to see friends and family, do things you love and make the most of your time off!

Find out more about the Bachelor of Midwifery at UTS.