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| No. 10 | 
Sep 23, 2005, 02:30 PM
Yes, You all bring up good points. The wise and truly informed person will check w/his or her State Board of Nursing for definitions/scope of practice for every level of nurse from LPN to CNM/NP/WHNP. It will vary from state to state what that scope is and what your job description would be.
And before you become an LPN w/an aim to be a labor/delivery nurse, check w/the hospitals at which you would likely be employed to see if they do hire LPNs in their OB departments. www.hospitalsoup.com
for a comprehensive list of hospitals in the USA.
One more small point:
Do be aware, there are midwives out there who are NOT nurses. (Certified Midwives or Lay Midwives)
 | | Advertisement Sponsored Links | | | | No. 11 |
Sep 23, 2005, 02:39 PM
Well, of course that generates even MORE questions LOL My best advice is to go straight for your RN if yours is the intention to become a nurse in mother-baby units.
Well, I can't do that, because I am a sahm to four children, so I stay home w/them while dh works. And the RN programs around here are only daytime programs. Believe me, if I could just do an evening RN program (EVERYTHING, including the pre-reqs that I don't have) I would..but, since I can't, I'm starting out as an LPN, since the LPN program is totally evenings (clinicals and all), M-Th, 4p-9p. That's what works best for my family. When I start working, my hope is to be able to work nights, a few days a week. If you do decide to go for your MSN, having chosen to become a CMN----- you would WANT to find a program that educates CMN students specifically. You can always become both a WHNP (women's health nurse practioner) and CNM, if you chose.
Well, it's too soon to know for sure.... but I'm starting to wonder if a midwifery program is even in my reach. There aren't any schools around here (central FL), and moving ....well, with a dh and 4 kids, obviously that'd mean moving more than just ME LOL I dunno. That's many yrs in the future, and who knows what will be going on in life by then, kwim? At any rate, I know regardless it IS possible for me to obtain an MSN, even if I had to do it online. So, I wondered what opportunities were available with that, if the midwifery didn't work out. I see now that one DOES have to specify a "track" when pursuing an MSN.
Mitchsmom.....where in FL?
| | No. 12 |
Sep 23, 2005, 02:49 PM
Well, of course that generates even MORE questions LOL
Well, I can't do that, because I am a sahm to four children, so I stay home w/them while dh works. And the RN programs around here are only daytime programs. Believe me, if I could just do an evening RN program (EVERYTHING, including the pre-reqs that I don't have) I would..but, since I can't, I'm starting out as an LPN, since the LPN program is totally evenings (clinicals and all), M-Th, 4p-9p. That's what works best for my family. When I start working, my hope is to be able to work nights, a few days a week. You CAN get your LPN and go for an LPN-RN bridge program later on. you can even (if you are eligible) have your employer assist w/tuition for such programs. Just understand, you will have to do all the traditional college courses first----like Math, Speech, English, Sciences, etc. Most RN Programs nowadays are VERY competitive and so having as many pre-requisite courses done will benefit you----having the best grades possible, also critical. There are long waiting lists someplaces, so check it out. Get those pre-nursing courses knocked out then apply for an RN program. It will work, if you are really committed and determined. Many of us have gone to school while working and raising families, so I know it can be done.
Well, it's too soon to know for sure.... but I'm starting to wonder if a midwifery program is even in my reach. There aren't any schools around here (central FL), and moving ....well, with a dh and 4 kids, obviously that'd mean moving more than just ME LOL I dunno. That's many yrs in the future, and who knows what will be going on in life by then, kwim? At any rate, I know regardless it IS possible for me to obtain an MSN, even if I had to do it online. So, I wondered what opportunities were available with that, if the midwifery didn't work out. I see now that one DOES have to specify a "track" when pursuing an MSN. Well there is always a place like the Frontier School of Midwifery, which is an amazing distance learning program for midwifery.
www.midwives.org
is their site, check it out. IT IS in REACH, if you want it! Distance learning programs (internet, correspondence) are becoming increasingly common to answer the needs of returning adult learners, so DO NOT LOSE HOPE; it's very possible for you to achieve all your goals.
Good luck. Hope this helps.
deb | | No. 13 |
Sep 23, 2005, 02:57 PM
Updated
Sep 23, 2005 at 03:01 PM by HomeofLove4Him
Thanks Deb! 
As far as the bridge from LPN->RN..I *do* have an AA degree, so I know that some of those classes will transfer over (I've been told anyway). But, I am missing the sciences (A&P, which means also Bio I & II), and ....I was told you have to have TAKEN or be eligible to take (determined by taking some test) College Algebra. Haven't taken it, so there's that one also. But of course hopefully as many of my classes I took for my AA degree would transfer over as possible.
And yes, I know its' possible to work, go to school, and raise a family..and I hate to sound like a pessimist, or "holier than thou", but putting my kids in childcare all day while I pursue school just isn't what we want, if there is another way around that, kwim? *hopes she hasn't offended anyone* 
And I am THRILLED to know that there are online midwifery programs! (or at least one) That has probably made my afternoon!!
Ohhh and I LOVE distance learning! I have been doing distance learning for 3+yrs now, and am currently at FSU via distance learning. The LPN will be the first time in 3yrs that I've gone to school in person, but I'm all about online courses! | | No. 14 |
Sep 23, 2005, 03:07 PM
Updated
Sep 23, 2005 at 03:09 PM by SmilingBluEyes
YOU are NOT holier than thou--to me. You are "singing my tune" really. I am lucky in that my kids have never been in daycare except the brief time my dh was TDY (out of town) for military duty in my 4th semester in nursing school--- and even then, my son was in a certified daycare home of a very good friend at that time. That is all the daycare I ever cared to use....... I have had both kids at home WITH their father or me since my son's birth 13 years ago. I have done this by working the "undesireable" night and weekend shifts for 8 years now.
As an aside, I homeschool both of them now, and work part time as an L and D nurse. Adversity exists, but only to be overcome!
| | No. 15 |
Sep 23, 2005, 03:09 PM
Deb, we are having more and more in common *ahem....except you are WAY ahead of me, in that you actually HAVE a career started, roflol*
<~sah-homeschooling mama, also!
| | No. 16 |
Sep 23, 2005, 03:25 PM
woot!
and I dont' consider myself "ahead" of anyone. Just willing to lend a helping hand wherever needed. ask anything.
| | No. 17 |
Sep 23, 2005, 11:12 PM
I think with enough determination ANYTHING is possible 
Oh, and about daycare ~ You weren't offensive; we are all individuals & are simply "wired" differently. I have stayed home for nearly 4 years now with no family/outside support. It has been a huge struggle for me, my boys absolutely LOVE socializing, so to me it's a win-win. I get MY time at school (and in the future, work) and my boys hang out and have a blast with their friends! It's all about what works best for YOUR family I recently posted that I was going to have to put of school because it didn't work with my family's schedule. My boys have developmental delays and my oldest attends special ed preschool. As much as I need a change in my routine, I needed to make sure he could have his education (and my little guy is just starting OT & ST, so he will most likely go to special ed PS too). Turns out, the daycare about 1 mile from school has bus service I'm going to school after all So, for me it's not about you putting down what other's choose, but realizing that we all have unique needs | | No. 18 |
Sep 24, 2005, 06:35 AM
Originally Posted by OB_or_NICU_hopeful I think with enough determination ANYTHING is possible
Oh, and about daycare ~ You weren't offensive; we are all individuals & are simply "wired" differently. I have stayed home for nearly 4 years now with no family/outside support. It has been a huge struggle for me, my boys absolutely LOVE socializing, so to me it's a win-win. I get MY time at school (and in the future, work) and my boys hang out and have a blast with their friends! It's all about what works best for YOUR family I recently posted that I was going to have to put of school because it didn't work with my family's schedule. My boys have developmental delays and my oldest attends special ed preschool. As much as I need a change in my routine, I needed to make sure he could have his education (and my little guy is just starting OT & ST, so he will most likely go to special ed PS too). Turns out, the daycare about 1 mile from school has bus service I'm going to school after all So, for me it's not about you putting down what other's choose, but realizing that we all have unique needs
You're right--we all DO have unique needs How old are your boys? I'm so happy for you to hear that there IS a way for you to go to school, afterall! I know that feeling, realizing that it IS possible, afterall! | | No. 19 |
Sep 24, 2005, 07:38 AM
My boys are 3 & 2
I kind of worried about my post after I submitted it....afraid you would feel like I was preaching at you or something! I've just been in a real "funk" for a while now, and have always wanted to go to school. I think, for me, feeling like I was being "called" to do something, and not being able to move in that direction made me really depressed  I used to feel exactly the same as you did about daycare (wanted to avoid it at all costs), but have come to realize that for my family it's a must. Now, if I had to leave them in daycare from 6a-6p M-F in order to go to school or work I would have to put off my career (I don't think my boys would thrive in full-time daycare).
I wish you the best on your nursing journey
Ya know, I should add that I applied to a selective BSN program....I guess I shouldn't say I'm going to school until they accept me  |
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