Bedside... Really?

Trauma Columnist · Aug 16, 2012

But CNM is really bedside nursing - being with a woman while she labors and gives birth is really bedside nursing....

cayenne06, MSN, CNM · Aug 16, 2012

But CNM is really bedside nursing - being with a woman while she labors and gives birth is really bedside nursing....

I disagree strongly. Being a CNM is a totally different role than being an L&D nurse. I am a CPM, and I LOVE taking care of women in that role, but I really, really do not like being a bedside nurse, even in L&D. I am back in school to become a CNM.

Anyway, back on topic- OP, there are plenty of schools who will accept you without RN experience as long as you have L&D experience. You can get this by becoming a doula, becoming a certified CBE instructor, etc. I highly recommend getting some serious experience before you make the commitment. It sounds so fun and exciting to catch babies, but it is a LOT of work and the hours are crazy difficult. Being on call is hard. Plus CNM training is not cheap.

Good luck, midwifery is an amazing profession!

elkpark · Aug 16, 2012

Some of the "direct entry" MSN programs, for individuals who have in BA/BS in another subject but no nursing background or experience, offer a CNM specialization. These programs are basically an accelerated BSN program tacked onto an MSN program. They are rigorous, demanding, and highly competitive (in most cases), but they take people who aren't nurses and prepare you for advanced practice licensure and practice.

There are lots of existing threads here about direct entry programs.

Jennie.K · Aug 16, 2012

Thank you so much for the info! I am actually more interested in the prenatal care than I am actually delivering the babies. At first, I was looking into becoming an OB-GYN; however, after some research, I found that a CNM/WHCNP would be a much better fit for me.

All the running around like a chicken with its head cut off, people taking their frustrations out on you, doctors yelling at you, other nurses backing stabbing, zero break in 12 hours... No thank you. That would drive me crazy! Obviously, I haven't done bedside nursing; but, from reading others post, it sounds like that is all bedside nursing is. Please correct me if I am wrong. :)

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Aug 16, 2012

LOL - that's like making up your mind never to board an airplane after watching an airline disaster movie! Anyone with an iota of critical thinking capability would never utilize crowd-sourcing as their primary information route. Sheesh. There's just too much to "correct me if I am wrong".

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Aug 16, 2012

Office and hospital affiliation politics can be just as bad and possible worse re financial repurcussions than bedside nursing.

Think carefully why you want to be a nurse. Ask to shadow someone in your GYN office or local women's health center before you make a firm committment to become a nurse and pursue advanced practice.

Altra, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2012

Pretty derisive thread title chosen ... for a post on a NURSING website.

Jennie.K · Aug 16, 2012

LOL - that's like making up your mind never to board an airplane after watching an airline disaster movie! Anyone with an iota of critical thinking capability would never utilize crowd-sourcing as their primary information route. Sheesh. There's just too much to "correct me if I am wrong".

That is not what is making my mind up, which I am still at a cross road. Sorry if it seemed as though I was only utilizing crowd-sourcing as my primary information route - not the case. Obliviously, any posts on a forum are going to be negative because people are venting. Another obvious fact, politics in the work place are going to be everywhere. I was making light of a stereotype with that comment. I do apologize if the tone did not come through over the web. By adding the "correct me if I am wrong" statement, I was hoping someone would state what they love about bedside, other than the happy feeling you get from helping someone.

If one is to make a decision based solely on what is said in a public forum, such as this site, that individual would be very ignorant.

I know what my final goal is and I am looking for information/opinions on a good path to take. Bedside nursing not for everyone. If I could bypass bedside nursing to get to my final goal, why would I not do that if my goal is not in bedside nursing? I am not going write a novel to explain my reasoning for choosing this career not am I going to explain why I want to become an NP over an MD.

roser13, ASN, RN · Aug 16, 2012

It's hard not to feel dissed by this post. OP seems to be saying "I want to be a nurse, but I don't want to do the yucky stuff that goes with nursing - I'll just skip over that part."

Kind of like saying you want to go to school to be a teacher, but don't want to teach actual students.

Jennie.K · Aug 16, 2012

I am not going write a novel to explain my reasoning for choosing this career not am I going to explain why I want to become an NP over an MD.

*nor am I

Have to love autocorrect!

cardiacrocks, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2012

Hey guys!
Do any of you all know of a CNM program that does not require one to be an RN first or do bedside nursing? After doing a lot of research, I really don't think bedside nursing is for me. However, I really want to become a CNM and would also like to work as a women's health NP. Everything that I have read seems to require bedside experience.
Thanks for any info/opinions!

If you've never done bedside nursing how can you say you KNOW it isn't for you? Have you even ever shadowed an RN? All jobs have there good and bad days! There are days I dread going to work but most days I absolutely love my job. Nurses respect those in the field more, if you have done some type of nursing first. I'm planning on going to DNP school to further advance my career and education. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be able to do bedside nursing. I love seeing how the patient and nurse and the entire team interact. Anyhow good luck in your endeavor.