No jobs in OB nursing!!

[what2donow]

I've developed an unhealthy obsession with checking everywhere- local hospitals' websites, the newspaper classifieds, clinics, etc.- at least 3 times a day for ANY OB nursing jobs. There is nothing! The rare positions that open up require experience (the last one I saw required 5 YEARS of L and D to apply!) I am so frustrated and fear that I will never be able to get started on my way to becoming a CNM. That, and I am presently stuck working in the ICU which I have discovered that I hate and absolutely dread every shift. If I never find a way to get experience in the field, is it possible that school could train me well enough to be a successful midwife, without the OB nursing beforehand? And would any school accept me without it? Grrrrrrrr.....

[Ginger's Person]

Have you thought about getting trained as a doulah and volunteering to assist some births? Around here, organizations that provide volunteer doulahs can't find enough doulahs to serve their clients. I don't know how strongly midwifery schools consider this kind of experience, but I know that it helped a friend of mine feel much better prepared for her CNM program. Sure, it's not as extensive as working in L&D, but you have a better chance of learning about the midwifery model of care rather than the medical model of care.

Just a thought.

[SiennaGreen]

A good one too.

For me personally, I'm less concerned about Midwifery Model, I have Doula exp. and began my didactic training for CPM- until I got side lined by deciding CNM was a better fit for me. My knowledge gap is in the medical model, and as much as I would probably prefer a sweet, uncomplicated birth center birth, I know that not ALL women I intend to serve will have that. So, I need to be prepared.

I just wish there was some way to do so without spending a few years in a traditional L&D.....