A day in the life of a CNM

[Baby Catcher, CNM]

I've noticed alot of people have questions about being a CNM but not alot of practicing CNMs post on this site so I thought I'd tell you what a typical day is like.

Yesterday I was on call so I got to the hospital at 0730. Got report and did rounds. 2 moms going home so discharge instructions and orders done. 2 others needed day 1 rounds. No one in labor. 0900 office hours start and I have a day of prenatal visits, annuals and postpartum visits. 1645 done with pt's, no one in labor so I head home. Various beeper calls throughout the evening. Mostly questions about meds to take with a cold, round ligamnet pain, etc. 1 mom with no fetal movement at 1930 so I meet her at the hospital for NST. Baby fine so I go home. 2300 I go to bed. 0230 beeper goes off and I have 1 in labor. I get to the hospital and find out I have another one coming in. I get the first one admitted, do an H&P, orders, get her settled in. The second one shows up so I admit her too. Both are progressing nicely. 1 with epidural, one with no meds. 0730 I caught the second admits baby. No problems, intact perineum. I do all the charting and make sure mom and baby are settled. 0830 my replacement shows up and she takes over for the other laboring mom. That's a typica call day. On days I'm not on call I just have normal office hours.

[TLAandy]

Thanks alot, it is sooo hard to get a good insight into what we are all striving towards, sometimes the only posts you get are those with an ax to grid!! I want to hear just the facts. Just as you said it, no opinions just time frames. It is up to each to decide what they are willing to endure, sacrifice, walk through, around, over or kick out of the way to get to where they want to be. Thank you again. Did have 1 question, how many times do you take call a week? What is average from your experience?

[Baby Catcher, CNM]

I'm usually on call once per week but sometimes twice. It just depends. I enjoy call because of the deliveries. I've been a midwife for almost 2 years now and so far I love it.

[ktliz]

Great post! So do you have office hours 5x week or do you get a day off after being on call?

[Montessori Mommy]

Thank you for your insightful post. I'm doing some soul searching now about whether I should apply to a CNM program or not. While my heart knows it is the right career for me, I'm concerned about the effects on my family. I'm also worried that after paying for school, I won't be able to find a position that pays enough to justify the investment and all my hard work...

Thanks again!

[Baby Catcher, CNM]

I am always off post call. This week I was in the office 3 days. It's nice because I get days off in the middle of the week to run errands, go to appts, whatever. Some call nights I sleep all night and then the next day is like a free day off. Some nights I don't sleep at all and then the next day I sleep until noon or one. Those days are kind of a waste because I have that dragging, hungover feeling. Usually though even if I'm at the hospital all night I can get some sleep in my call room. I love being a midwife and I am so happy I went back to school.

[AOX4RN, MSN, RN, NP]

I've been a midwife for almost 2 years now and so far I love it.

Time to change your username!

[Baby Catcher, CNM]

I know! Is there a way to change it?

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

i know! is there a way to change it?

you can change your own name by going to, "my account", found on the yellow toolbar above.

then click on, "user control panel".

under, 1- "settings and options", on the left, select, 2 - edit email & login info. follow directions 3, 4, 5, - to change your name. here is a screen shot of directions - click on image to enlarge:

[Baby Catcher, CNM]

Thanks. I'll have to think of a new name.

[AOX4RN, MSN, RN, NP]

Good one!