Frontier CNM students

[MamaMaker]

Hey everyone! I'm considering applying to Frontier's bridge program (for the CNM route). Just wanted to see how many of you are loving the program and feel like you are getting your money's worth?

Any of you have small children? How is it juggling family and school? Have you continued to work part-time or prn?

Has anyone ran into any issues finding someone to serve as their clinical mentor? Do we have to pay for this as well?

And one last question (for now)...for those of you without L&D experience, do you agree that it is not necessary? Have you been given any grief for your lack of L&D experience? Thanks in advance!

[EmmKay]

Bumping this for you because it sure would be good to get a response!

Emily

[MamaMaker]

Thanks Emily! :)

[sjsa82]

Hi Emily! I just graduated nursing school in Dec and am working on a postpartum unit right now with hopes to move over to l&d asap and apply for the bridge program at Frontier as soon as I have my one year experience in. I can't wait! So I have no true experience but from what I've read and heard others say...it seems like the l&d experience isn't absolutely necessary, but it helps greatly. And realistically, once you graduate as a CNM but have no l&d work experience, who would really feel comfortable hiring you as a midwife? So I'm definitely going to do it.

I have 3 little ones and originally thought I should wait until they're older to do this, but I've heard a lot of women say that it's actually better to do it when they're young because they're less involved in sports, intense school work, etc. and won't remember these crazy days the way they would if they were older. Plus, I'm excited to show them early how much hard work and following your dreams can pay off!

Good luck to you on your journey!!!

[EmmKay]

Thanks for your post sjsa,

I wouldn't mind doing L and D for a year at all, but I think most of us are stressed that we wouldn't be able to find employment in this area- I'm in the Boston MA area and it's full of hospitals, but I check the job postings almost daily and I've never seen an opening for L and D AND if I do, it asks for at least 3 years exp! Kind of a catch 22 huh?

[trauerweidchen]

Keep in mind my opinion is hypothetical rather than grounded in experience, but I have heard/read that L&D experience isn't necessarily all that important as a prerequisite to becoming a CNM because the scope of practice and the models of care can be so, so different (between being a L&D RN and a CNM). Obviously it varies greatly by hospital, and the experience is certainly applicable, but it isn't necessarily essential. If I go the CNM route I'm hoping to use other birth experience to apply (probably to Frontier).

[TheVitalRN, MSN, RN, CNM]

I graduated with my CNM from Yale and was not even a nurse before I started the program (BA in History). It is a combined RN certificate and MSN program. Although I did have a lot of other healthcare experience (paramedic, nurses aid, etc..), most of my classmates had zero. They frequently told us we did not need L&D experience and that it may even be a liability (be decreasing your confidence). I think it depends on your learning style and comfort level, however. SOme of my classmates went on to work in L&D for a few years before working as CNMs, but all of my classmates were eventually (and sometime immediately--without L&D) hired. I got multiple job offers. Yes, there were places that would not even consider me without L&D experience, but there were plenty of places that would! I think working as an L&D nurse (which I did for three months) is so far from being a CNM that it is not that helpful in terms of skills--it definately helps in that you get to witness a lot of births and become very familiar with fetal strips and assessments of pregnant and laboring women; however, you also have to do lots of busy work (paperwork/computer charting as well as surgery--ie, c-sections, which you are pretty much not involved in as a CNM unless you do second assist) and be involved in situations that you would rather manage differently (ie watch women go through things that you might deem un-necessary as a CNM--which can be emotionally difficult, depending on your temperment). In short, I would say L&D is not necessary to get a job, but it might make you feel more comfortable going into work as a CNM. All that said, do your research with your CNM program--make sure it is a supportive one and the right "fit" for you. Frontier has a great program!! It is a ton of work, however, and you do have to find your own preceptor which can be challenging depending on where you live. Hope that helps!

hugs and good luck!