Any advice?

[Nicky30, BSN, RN]

Hi all,

I am still fairly new to this board and have only been an RN for about a year.

I have discovered a couple of areas that I enjoy - Accident and Emergency and Midwifery. I have applied for courses in both of these areas, problem is I don't know what to pick if I get offered places in both. One course is over 2 years and the other over 3 (part-time). I don't think I can study concurrently due to clinical placements overlapping (and besides that sounds crazy!!! :trout:).

My question is what should I study first? I know whatever one I pick I will constantly think about the other one.

Any adivce would be gratefully accepted.

Thanks,

Nic.

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

Not sure, but I think emergency and accident would give you a more rounded education and greater job opportunities. And you will most likely be covering labor and delivery issues during emergency studies. Pregnant women have accidents and emergencies too. And we see lots of deliveries in the emergency department.

Good luck with your studies

[Nicky30, BSN, RN]

Thanks Gonzo,

I guess I am leaning towards Emerg just because I will be working in that area whether I have the course behind me or not. But I am not able to work in midwifery without specialising (however it was and still is my first love in nursing). Arrrgh, it's so confusing!

Anybody else have anything to add?

Nicky.

[ERRNTraveler, RN]

I say go for Emergency- but then, I'm an ER nurse & love it, so I'm a little biased.....

[Djuna]

Midwifery is very different than nursing. Working in ED is just another clinical area nurses work in, however midwifery is not an area nurses work in here in Australia (unless it's a very small hospital).

I would do the midwifery program just to have it under your belt. If you then decide to work in ED, you still have the option of practising as a midwife later down the track.

Women never deliver in ED unless the labour is super fast and there's no time to get her to Maternity and as an RN you simply don't deliver babies, it is a specialised area for Obstetricians or Midwives.

In asking for advice about your choices, you have to remember the US system differs from the Australian system in regard to scope of practice in the maternity area.

[Nicky30, BSN, RN]

Thanks Djuna,

I do realise that the systems are vastly different, I was just hoping for different opinions from eveybody. I will still be able to work in the Emerg department with or without that Graduate Diploma but would like extra skills. I am doing the 2 day ALS course early next year, so maybe that will boost my confidence somewhat!?!@#?#

I only work in a medium sized country hospital but we do see a lot of trauma. However, tonight I was speaking to one of the midwives and she said they have to double shifts at the moment because that have 12 mums (unheard of). We can usually only cater for 6 mid patients (4 public and 2 private). Heaven knows where that have all been put, I have been on days off!!! She suggested I study mid first but then commented that I will never have my own life again.

Guess I just better wait and see what I get offered.

Nicky.