Any RN,C's?

NurseAngie · Jul 18, 2002

Originally posted by Andrew_LandD
Angie,

Did you work labor and delivery while you were in the military? What unit do you work on now?

- Sure do! I am still in the military and still doing L&D.

Do you consider ever becoming a WHNP or CNM?

- Have considered CNM, in fact while in the military we have an avenue to go to school for free and get paid. The only problem I have with it now is my family. I have a new baby due in August and 2 other little ones. I have been married for 12 years to a wonderful woman. I love my family and I like to be able to go home and seperate that family time from work time. I would hate to be called in, or spend as much time as they do at the hospital. I also sometimes find myself saying at a delivery, " I could have done that," when watching the doctor deliver the baby. So the thought of a CNM is lingering.

What's your favorite part of your job now?

-The emotional experience with a delivery. Especially when you have several generations in the family and it is the first grand child of the family. The adrenaline rush when you see your FHR drop to 60bpm and then go bradycardiac. Then lastly, Fetal Heart Monitoring. I love it. I love to teach it, breathe it , live it, argue about it. FHM is my cup of tea lets say.

Least favorite

- Bad outcomes. People that work L&D but really dont want to do it. Working nights. (Body doesnt function right no matter how long I am on them.)

I did RNC for personal satisfaction. It was a great achievment for me. Our ward has a plaque on the wall with all our little RNC plaques on it. Its great to see your name up on that board. Plus in the military if you certify it specializes you in an area and you continue to work in that area vice being shifted around to other areas.

Take care.

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

I haven't been in the military, but my husband is. Both of my sons were born in Naval hospitals. I am a LPN and I'm about to begin a RN program next month. I have been interested in becoming a L&D nurse since my first child was born 10 years ago. As a matter of fact, my stay in the hospital is what glued me to nursing. The more I learned about birth, the more I decided that midwifery is a wonderful way to go. I have planned on becoming a CNM. I have also been considering becoming a WHNP (My sister's Mother-in-law is one and she LOVES her job!) because that would allow me to perform prenatal care and well-woman check-ups, just no deliveries. (I guess the insurance premiums have shocked me for CNM's:eek: ) I am in the middle of making these HUGE decisions and like you, my family is very important to me. I am have been considering a RN-MSN program next. (We'll be PCS'ing AGAIN in a couple of years! :uhoh3: )

I think that certification is TERRIFIC! It shows that you have expertise in an area and that in turn makes you a valuable team member. (I know that I want an expert caring for me &/0R my babies!) I know you worked very hard to get this and I'm happy that the military has nurses like you. I would really consider getting the midwife school while you are in the military if it is FREE. (If you can take your wife and kids when you attend the school...and I would think you could since it's a long training.) I know it's hard to balance work and family.

Thanks for posting a reply and I look forward to seeing you again on the board!Take Care.

:) Angie

I forgot to mention that I have also been considering getting a Business degree or Counseling degree/certification instead of a BSN or MSN. I love nursing, but I am interested in many things and I like flexibility.

GailWHNP · Jul 26, 2002

Originally posted by NurseAngie

I have planned on becoming a CNM. I have also been considering becoming a WHNP (My sister's Mother-in-law is one and she LOVES her job!) because that would allow me to perform prenatal care and well-woman check-ups, just no deliveries. (I guess the insurance premiums have shocked me for CNM's:eek: ) I am in the middle of making these HUGE decisions and like you, my family is very important to me.

Hi, Angie . . .
I am a WHNP and, although I love it, about the only job opportunities are at clinics such as health departments or planned parenthood. Most OBs want CNMs because then they can sleep and let the midwife go to the hospital in the middle of the night. I am currently working L&D on weekends and the only delivery people I see are the midwives. Even when they've been at the hospital all night, they still have to show up at the office the next morning.

A friend opened up her private practice as WHNP about 7 years ago but does only gyn/well women care. She loves it. It was easy for her to contract with a doctor to cover her because that doctor gets all her referals for breast masses, laps, etc. I think that would be the way to go. I want to start travel nursing, though, so want to get more L&D experience.

Good luck in deciding!
Gail