[dinah77]

SO even though I have 15 months left in my ADN program, my husband's career is such that it is never too early for him to start looking at different cities....and we pretty much have to move because we love Minneapolis but there is pretty much NO opportunity here for him. ( he will be completeing ordanation in the UCC chuch next summer)

In making our list, my only criteria is that there is enough of an established CNM community so that I could have a good chance of suceeding in Fronteir's program ( currently my first choice after I have worked for a year or two) while still having job opportunites within the same city after I am a CNM several years down the road. Ideally, there would be an additional univeristy within the area with a CNM program , but it is not necessary.

Given that, which of these cities offer the best opprtuinites for me? I have more flexibility then him....

This is what we have narrowed it down to so far, given his opportunites (in no particular order)

Hawaii- not sure which islands....just know there is a lot of UCCs there
Boston
San Franciscio
Dallas
Seattle
Portland
Chicago

thanks!

[mom2michael]

Have you looked at www.midwife.org at their job listings. That might help.

[LLLovely]

I love the Chicago area, but I don't know much about the midwife environment there.

Seattle and Portland are AWESOME areas for midwives. They are very open to midwfery, breastfeeding, and what I might call the return to crunchy in the whole Pacific Northwest region. I would pick Portland over Seattle simply because the law is currently much more friendly in Oregon with respect to midwives than it is in Washington.

Plus, Portland really is a great city. It has a lot to do, but it is not overwhelmingly large. It is clean and very socially, economically, and environmentally conscious. The cost of living is lower in Portland than in Seattle. Plus, if you like Seattle that much, you can just jump on I-5 and be there in no time for a visit.

[clhRN2b2010]

Ann Arbor, MI.

U of MI has big university hospital, plus great CNM program. Check it out! Also, large local hospital- St. Joseph's. It is also a pretty granola town, good schools, good ministry opportunities, certainly a place you could get some experience, find a preceptor, and go to school- should you choose.

[zahryia]

I think this is a great question. I would GUESS that San Francisco would be another great city, but perhaps it's a bit competitive due to the UCSF midwifery program. I'm not sure.

[dinah77]

Thanks! I'll check that link out!

[dinah77]

What a great suggestion...I hadn't even considered Ann Arbor, but I will pas sthe idea along to husband to get his thoughts too

[dinah77]

ooohhh...I'm happy to hear that Portland is a good place.....I've never had an opportunity to even visit, but have admirded it from afar...

[dinah77]

Originally Posted by zahryia

I think this is a great question. I would GUESS that San Francisco would be another great city, but perhaps it's a bit competitive due to the UCSF midwifery program. I'm not sure.

and that is exactly what I'm worried about. We need a place we can actually settle in and I can find a job after finishing all of my schooling. I had wondered if San Fran is not a bit saturated what with UCSF and being a center of the move to bring back Midwifery practice in the 70's...I'm worried about going somewhere where I may be able to find a preceptor with ease should I go the Fronteir route, but am unable to find a job easily afterwards due to the # of CNMS already in the area....

[studentmom2007]

Portland for sure!!! I guess I am biased b/c I currently live in Portland! There is a direct entry mid-wife school here called Birthingway and also the coveted OHSU CNM program.

And like a PP said, lots of women interested in natural childbirth, breastfeeding, and all things "crunchy"! In fact, I had both my kids completely unmedicated.

We even have a waterbirth center in the metro area. You can't beat Portland for it's affordability (esp for the West Coast), things to do, and a very friendly town. I've been here over 6 years and I really don't want to leave!