[HeartsOpenWide]

How long did you wait/work after graduating nursing school before you applied to Nurse Midwifery school? did you know you wanted to be a midwife while you were still in nursing school?

[mommy2boysaz]

I've been an OB nurse for 10 years. Just applied to Frontier for their CNM program.
I did not know I wanted to be a CNM until I got to practice with one!

Best of Luck!

[*Bethany*]

Well, I can't tell you how long I'll wait.. I'm just now starting my pre-reqs for the nursing program (this is my first semester). But my plan is to try to get into L and D after graduating nursing school and then continuing on with my education while working. I'm going into nursing to become a CNM.

I know this wasn't part of the question, but the reason I'm going into midwifery is because of my 2 beautiful homebirths. I have a strong passion for everything pregnancy/childbirth!

[epiphany]

Originally Posted by HeartsOpenWide

How long did you wait/work after graduating nursing school before you applied to Nurse Midwifery school? did you know you wanted to be a midwife while you were still in nursing school?

I waited one year, which was one year too long. I thought a year in L&D would be helpful, but I was wrong. ER would have been a better place to learn skills. In L&D you learn how to hang pitocin and strap women down to their beds, and write trail long documents that nobody reads. And since I rarely saw a natural birth, I didn't learn to have faith in the woman's power. Sorry, a little OT. But if you have made up your mind, don't wait. You can do it.

[midwife2b]

LOL I waited 25 years!

I thought I was supposed to be a CNS. Then I thought I was supposed to be a WHNP. It was one patient situation that gave me the realization that if I wanted to support women's choices, the only way that would be a credible option was the CNM route.

So I've been a CNM for 2 years. I have more clients than I ever imagined. Our service has a waiting list. Midwifery care and the midwifery model of care is desired and requested! Don't wait as long as I did!

[kythe]

Originally Posted by epiphany

I waited one year, which was one year too long. I thought a year in L&D would be helpful, but I was wrong. ER would have been a better place to learn skills. In L&D you learn how to hang pitocin and strap women down to their beds, and write trail long documents that nobody reads. And since I rarely saw a natural birth, I didn't learn to have faith in the woman's power. Sorry, a little OT. But if you have made up your mind, don't wait. You can do it.

Don't most midwifery schools require a certain amount of experience first? Can you get related experience in other areas?

[epiphany]

good question. No. Not all schools require L&D experience. Check with the schools are you interested in. I inquired in two schools, including Upenn when I'm at, and they don't need it. In fact, in another school, when I interviewed, this was also said to: ER is much better for skills. I think ER would really come in handy if you are also doing GYN, either as a midwife or WNP (depending on your state), because you begin to get a handle on common stuff like UTI's, Asthma, DM, HTN. Women who are pregnant or laboring are going to have these symptoms.

[littlemamakt]

Does anyone know if Frontier will accept ER experience? And will nurse-tech experience help too?

-Kate

[mom2michael]

Originally Posted by littlemamakt

Does anyone know if Frontier will accept ER experience? And will nurse-tech experience help too?

-Kate

According to those I've been talking with at Frontier - they want you to have a good solid base before entering any of the programs. They require 1 year of experience as an RN before applying to any of their programs.

I've been told it can only help to have L&D experience if applying for the CNM program but it certainly isn't the only factor in admission to the program.

But if I lack experience in L&D, when I graduate I may struggle finding a job according to them.