Anyone in L&D and going for CNM? Any advice?

[thisisnicoleRN]

Hi. I'm cross posting this here, as well as the CNM board to hopefully get some advice! Thank you!

I know this has been asked before, but I need advice! Just applied to a CNM program. I have no L & D experience. I've talked to two midwives in my area non-CNM, who say that I shoudn't try to get a L & D job in the meantime, and one CNM who says the same -- background on her, she also went into her program without experience. I spoke to another CNM with 10 years L&D experience, and she said I should definitely try to get some L&D in!

Here's my issue. My job right now is m-f daylight. I KNOW that I'm going to have to quit this job because it will be too difficult to schedule my precepting hours outside of this. So, I am either going to not work altogether, or I was thinking of applying to L & D, but with the mixed reviews, I'm not sure! I think it would really help -- but I guess what I'm worried about is spreading myself out too thin. I have 2 small children at home, and on top of that I would be trying to learn a new speciality (L&D) as well as learn midwifery course work and precepting. I'm just worried it might be too much, especially because my local L&D is at a women's hospital and most are high risk or have other medical problems. I would love any advice!

[klone, MSN, RN]

I do think an L&D background helps in midwifery school. Be careful, though - most programs will not let you precept in the same department you work as a nurse.

[sandseaandstone]

I'm going to go for my CNM next year. I completed my bachelors this past summer and had a mon-fri job. My kids are a little older than yours, but every family finds a way to make things work. I applied to L&D with an ER/Non-invasive stress testing/Occ health background and got a position. I have went into the unit with an attitude of :: I want to have all the exposure I can get. The good the bad and the ugly. In four weeks I've already learned so much....I'm going for my NRP in January, basic FHR monitoring in a couple weeks, S.T.A.B.L.E certification, 15 hour breast feeding education, bereavement class.....I feel like I want to gather as much information/exposure that I can, so that in the future I can hopefully make decisions based on what I have seen as well as academically learned. Everyone has to make the best choice for their own situation....