A question about the GNP

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.

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...... 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!

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

wise woman!!! :-)

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.