Asking Midwife to Coffee/ Chat?

[carrieljp]

I've just recently decided to pursue a career as a CNM. I'm starting from the bottom and anticipate 5-6 years before I can even begin a CNM Masters program.

Is it too early to start networking with other midwives in my area? I just love the midwife who saw me through my two pregnancies, and the midwife who delivered my last baby is an educator at the University of Cincinnati. They are both fabulous!

I would like to ask the midwife I've known the longest if I could basically pick her brain about how she got into the business, what she wishes she would have known from the beginning, how she handles her career and family life, and any advice she'd give me, really-- possibly over coffee or lunch?

I am a patient, so I'm not sure if this would be inappropriate to ask?

An ongoing relationship would be ideal as a mentor/ friend, and I'll eventually need a preceptor down the road and would hope that building a relationship with her would possibly open up relationships with other CNMs as well.

What do you think? Any input would be so wonderfully appreciated!!

[Jules A, MSN]

Networking and fostering professional contacts is an excellent idea and reaching out to the nurse midwifes you know is a great start. I'd be upfront that you are thinking very far in advance because depending on how busy they are that might be a factor for them. I'm usually willing to meet with prospective NP students but tend to prefer a brief encounter such as answering questions via email when plans are so far out because my guess is you will want to meet again when you are closer to the actual time. Maybe offer an email option? Good luck!

[carrieljp]

Thank you for your response, Jules! An email option sounds good, and definitely less risk of getting a no!

[Allison T]

I agree about e-mail! I get a fair amount of people wanting to e-mail me to ask about being a CNM. I'm definitely willing to meet people face to face if they are serious about it after several rounds of e-mails. I did have one recently who ended up working alongside me for a while, and I was surprised that she had not really read (or understood?) my e-mails. She kept asking me about being a "nursing midwife." And yes, I have had this conversation with a number of patients, and lunch/coffee with them too. Not an issue for many of us.