Megan MacSween - BSc Midwifery

Megan MacSween from Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, has seen her hard work rewarded as she celebrates becoming a midwife and her upcoming move to Glasgow to work for the NHS. Reflecting on the 3-year journey towards accomplishing her degree she shared: “Every course has its difficulties and hurdles, but healthcare degrees test your resilience just that bit more. Being away from home on placement and working long hours at a maternity ward during the pandemic was challenging. I honestly feel that graduating from RGU is my biggest achievement.”

As one of the largest providers of graduates for NHS, the University has close links with the healthcare sector providing a range of placement opportunities ensuring valuable, real-life experience of professional practice across many settings. This was a major factor that attracted the 21-year-old to study at RGU.

“I always thought that becoming a midwife would be a rewarding job. I grew up appreciating the importance of higher education, and attending RGU's open day helped me decide that I wanted to pursue midwifery at that level. It was an ideal opportunity to see the riverside campus, learn more about the University's services and speak to course leaders and fellow students.

“Learning RGU had a mix of health placement opportunities in the Highlands and Islands, including the Western Isles Maternity ward, really attracted me to the University, as gaining experience in a rural community and working locally was important to me.”

Despite the distance, Megan says she embraced the opportunity to experience life away from home to undertake RGU's BSc in Midwifery, a Nursing and Midwifery Council-approved programme.

“Moving to Aberdeen straight out of high school was a daunting but exciting experience as I was ready for a new lease of independence and looking forward to settling into a new city and making friends. Little did I expect to be moving back home within six months and having to adapt to a new way of learning. We are known as ‘The Covid Cohort’.”

Discussing her experience living and studying from the Isle of Lewis, she said: “I’m grateful that RGU ensured that we had the possibility to continue our studies online and beyond pleased that the University decided to keep offering the degree online beyond the pandemic. I believe the island's uptake will be greater now that it is possible to do most of the course remotely and not necessarily have to move away from home. This makes midwifery more accessible for islanders who might have other commitments.

“Coming back to a rural setting during the pandemic made for a unique university experience. Throughout the past three years, I have become one of CalMac’s most loyal customers, often travelling home from placements and commuting by ferry for days on campus. I have spent quite some time crossing the Minch!”

Following Graduation, Megan shares she will be taking her first post as a newly qualified midwife at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to gain experience in a busy high-risk unit before heading back to Stornoway to work.

Her advice to future midwifery students is: “Embrace your time at RGU, do all these extra courses and put yourself out of your comfort zone. If you can opt for rural placements, there are some of the loveliest teams out there, and you will get so much support and time to learn and consolidate your practice. Times can be tough, but you can and will get through them. Use all the support services offered at RGU, and most importantly, look after yourself.”