Future CNMs

I am graduating in December with my BSN and plan to go to Emory CNM program starting Fall '05. Emory is great! I live here in the area and am currently attending Kennesaw State University.

I looked at the CNM/FNP program and thought that would be fabulous to get into, but I am currently freaking out at the thought of any "extra" schooling than I have to do to reach my dream. Nursing school has a funny way of doing that to a person.

I will be attending the new part-time program Emory has (yes, I will be admitted early based on experience...there's a process to go through). It will take 27 months instead of 15 that way, but I get to work full-time that way so I will: 1) Get my full L&D experience, 2) Get those fabulous paychecks that I've been working so hard to get and 3) be working towards my dream of being a midwife...a calling I had after the death of my son to SIDS. His birth was the most incredible moment in my life...that still holds after the birth of my third. Her's is a funny story for another chat.

So, in my case, I will be getting the whole shebang!

Maybe we should all start emailing the schools to find out which are true distance learning programs? (there is always a possiblity that we won't move and I'd like to be prepared) Anyone else with me?

Alyssa,
That sounds great!! Congrats
It would be awesome if you can keep us posted on your experience too... for us who are waiting to be in your shoes! And for any of us who could possibly move that way and go to Emory after all... I really doubt we will but ya never know, actually my Dad is the city manager of a small town and hour or so north of Atlanta
Still would love to hear how the program is, what you are doing, etc.

I have found that it is hard to get info and hard to get on any midwife email lists, etc. to feel "in the loop". They all seem to be closed unless you are already a practicing midwife or current CNM student. Have you guys found this?

CNM2B, if you want we could split the list of programs at ACNM.org to contact re: distance programs - one of us could email A-L that have the "D" by them, and one M-Z. I just probably can't do it until probably at least next Friday. Just let me know mitchsmom@excite.com ok?

However you guys want to divide it up is fine with me. I left a note for my midwife when I was at the office last time and I don't think she got it because she isn't one to not respond to me. I really wanted to find out from her (and the other one in the practice) how they went about getting their certification around here or if they traveled away for it or what. I have to go back in two more weeks and might try to catch up with one of them then if I don't have kids with me.

Sounds even better to split it three ways One of you feel free to email and yell at me if I have a memory lapse (entirely possible!).

We just have to be careful about the websites calling themselves distance unless they specifically say that you can live far away, find local preceptors, etc. b/c like I was saying before, they may say distance but just mean they have a distance element, or that you could do it from a couple hours away, etc. etc. My program sometimes calls itself distance too but there's no way you could live in another state and do it- clinicals are all within a three county area. You find out how un-distance it is after you apply, get accepted, and start registering - I know... anyway, I'm not bitter

One of us should draft up a letter that could be sent to each school so that we are clear on what we are asking. What do you think?

Mitchsmom,

I live about an hour north of Atlanta. What city does your dad work in?

I can be hard getting in the loop. Partly because most of those who are not currently CNM's or students are more "interested" than "intent". A lot of specialty areas feel that screening helps keep the associations and societies professional.

On one hand, I can completely understand that line of thinking. On the other, I think that thought process could easily keep fabulous people from entering the profession due to lack of information or lack of feeling wanted.

Alyssa, I pm'd you.
Cheers,
Anna
PS...CNM2b & ayndim, if either of you makes a letter for inquiries please pass it on, I'll let you know if I get more than 2 minutes at the time here on the computer to do one

And so it goes on...

I have planned to attend East Carolina University for my MSN/CNM. I looked at the Emory FNP/CNM program but decided against it, since I am really only interested in women's health. I know Emory has a CNM program also but I have other stuff pushing me toward ECU.

I also looked at the Frontier program, but my CNM was very clear that she would not be interested in being a proctor for another student for clinicals since the last one had no nursing experience, and had to be taught everything from the ground up. It was very draining on her.

Please be aware everyone that the Boston University program is VERY expensive, and the CNM there is in conjunction with an MPH program, so if you are interested in teaching someday it is probably not the route for you.

ECU offers more than 80% of it's courses toward the CNM/MSN online and they encourage nurses to start collecting credits before they have completed the 2 years requested for full time enrollment. If you read the small print in the graduate packet it does say that instate tuition waivers are occasionally available, so I hope they will grant me one and I can start with a course in January after I finish this BSN.

I am getting so excited about my last semester, I can't believe it's here!!! I have vowed to get all the excitement out this summer while I am not doing ANYTHING for school, so I can buckle down and crank out that 30-50 page paper that means the end. Our public health quarter holds the distinct honor of being the most horrifying rotation because of that paper.

My OB rotation was alright. I managed to get out of half of it because of my experience as an LPN and my ability to prove I had some information in my skull that I could pull up for the pre-test. I refused to watch a circ, but the professor was okay with that when I explained why ( med students botched my son's circ about 5 years ago, but he is fine). Sometimes I wish I hadn't cut out of half of it, since I was only in on one delivery then did lots of post-partum teaching and assessments.

We had a 34 weeker walk in at 8 cm with twins and no time to send her into town (Boston) for the delivery. She delivered the female twin vaginally, then they had to do a C/S for the boy, since the uterus seemed to forget it was carrying two placentas and tried to do it's nice clamping down job with him still inside. Anyone heard of this?