A question about the GNP

Grace Oz · Jan 16, 2006

hi, i have one year left of my nursing degree and was thinking about going straight into studying midwifery. i was just wondering if i were to study midwifery and then find there are no jobs available when i have completed my program, would it be possible to apply for the gnp. what i am trying to ask in a rather long winded way is, do they accept applicants a year after they have qualified or do they only accept applicants who have just completed their nursing degree?

i guess it all depends on the hospital. you'd need to make some phone calls to the hospitals you are interested in applying to.

and, can i "play mother" here? :) .......... my advice to you would be; do your gnp first after finishing uni. you really do need the experience and exposure offered by doing so. imho.

monstermunch · Jan 16, 2006

Thanks for your reply, I know you are right, I guess I am just eager to start midwifery but I know that what you are saying makes sense and its not as though I don't find nursing rewarding or anything as I do, its just that midwifery is what I have been dreaming about for a long time. I guess one extra year of waiting won't hurt:)

I was thinking of working as a third year undergraduate in hospital to gain some experience as I would get my own patient load, do you think this would give me enough experience? I know that the RN will ultimately be responsible for everything I do so that would be a major difference to doing the GNP.

Grace Oz · Jan 16, 2006

thanks for your reply, i know you are right, i guess i am just eager to start midwifery but i know that what you are saying makes sense and its not as though i don't find nursing rewarding or anything as i do, its just that midwifery is what i have been dreaming about for a long time. i guess one extra year of waiting won't hurt:)
i was thinking of working as a third year undergraduate in hospital to gain some experience as i would get my own patient load, do you think this would give me enough experience? i know that the rn will ultimately be responsible for everything i do so that would be a major difference to doing the gnp.

if you can obtain employment in a hospital as an undergrad that would be excellent. but as for giving you enough experience...... :rolleyes: experience at what? medical nursing? surgical nursing? hospice? as nurses, we never really get enough experience. i say this because it's always changing, ever evolving. just when you think you're experienced at one aspect of nursing, something changes and you need to learn new things. oh, sure, we do become experienced, in certain ways. i strongly encourage you to not try and avoid doing the gnp. i'm getting the feeling this is what you're hoping to do! :) what you will experience during those 12 months will be invaluable to you. you really do need that transition time. it's also a time for growth, both professionally and personally. by the completion of the programme, you will be better situated to make a truly informed decision about your future direction in nursing.

this is probably not the answer you were hoping for, but i'm not about to steer you in a direction which i think would be counter productive for you.:)

good luck!

monstermunch · Jan 16, 2006

Thanks for your honesty GraceOz :) and the time you have taken to answer my questions, it is much appreciated even if it wasn't what I wanted to hear :chuckle

froghair · Jan 16, 2006

most places want you to have at least 2 years post grad experience before they'll except you into do mid/ED/crit care and the like. when you do your mid the world is your oyster especially if you wanted to go outback nursing .

monstermunch · Jan 16, 2006

Thanks for your reply Froghair. In South Australia you can be accepted onto the mid program straight after completing your nursing degree. However I know deep down that I would be better off to do my GNP first.

Grace Oz · Jan 17, 2006

however i know deep down that i would be better off to do my gnp first

wise woman!!! :-)

monstermunch · Jan 17, 2006

wise woman!!! :-)

:chuckle

froghair · Jan 17, 2006

were i used to work they would never accept anyone to do there crit care if they hadnt been out for 5 years. over time this has now been relaxed and they've just started letting people who have just finished there grad year do it. i just dont think its wise. 5 years is a little to long but 2 years post seemed like a good idea.

gwenith, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2006

I agree with everyone else - that year post reg is absolutely neccessary to solidify those skills that UNI cannot give you! I know there is a strong motivation to do your mid straight away especially now while you are still in "study mode" but best to apply now for a years time and get that experience while you wait. Knowing your name is already down will prevent you from getting into "cruise mode" when you graduate.

monstermunch · Jan 20, 2006

Thanks for your advice Gwenith. What everyone has said makes perfect sense and I know that year will fly by, so it looks as though I shall be applying for a place on a GNP this year then:rolleyes: