can you really tell the difference?

Not an L&D nurse or a CNM, but I just wonder why in the world you'd want to rush into having that huge amount of responsibility without taking at least a year to work as an RN and get some L&D experience??? JMHO.

There is a difference, more noticeable as a new CNM. I would not use a CNM that was fresh from school and hadn't done any L&D prior to the CNM program. There is a reason that most schools require the experience.

I agree w/the above posts. As to difference? I would not know; none of the CNM's I have worked with went into midwifery w/o some years' experience as RN's first. NOT ONE. That may indicate something.....

But if you plan to go into direct-entry midwifery, or lay midwifery, that is another career path altogether, not same as CNM. It's up to you.

Hi, thanks for the quick replies! I Do plan on getting experience and working as a L&D nurse (Gomper), I just want to know was there really a big difference because of the number of schools that dont require experience( I just named a few). And also alot of Ppl (nurses) say dont stop(school) because once you start working, its really hard to go back, which that has never been the case with me, but I never worked in nursing so I dont know. I always plan ahead and now I am just weighing my options.

There is a difference, more noticeable as a new CNM. I would not use a CNM that was fresh from school and hadn't done any L&D prior to the CNM program. There is a reason that most schools require the experience.

Yep. L&D is a lot more than most people realize. You need to learn to be the nurse before you become the midwife, IMO.

I had a CNM deliver my last baby and she was wonderful. She was also a L&D nurse for 15 years and my nurse during labor with my first child. Her co-workers and the OB/Gyn docs encouraged her to become a midwife and not only did these docs partner with her in practice but they totally support her and her role in the community. I'm not sure that would have happened if she did not have experience beforehand.

Just something to think about....

Gator

I also wanted to throw in that the reason that I felt so comfortable with her and had a satisfying experience is because she was (unlike doctors) willing to take the time to educate me about the pregnancy, breastfeeding, nutrition etc...and I think that was directly a result of being a great nurse.

SHAY SHAY SHAY!!!!!!!!!

hey everyone shay is back?

how HAVE YOU BEEN????? I HAVE MISSED YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! woot!

Really, there is no substitute for experience. Every birth is different, which makes L&D a challenging field. I would recommend that you get the experience first. Experience is one of the factors for your success.

Good luck in your endeavors! :)

SHAY SHAY SHAY!!!!!!!!!

hey everyone shay is back?

how HAVE YOU BEEN????? I HAVE MISSED YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! woot!

I had me a young 'un. Can I just say, epidurals are a gift from God when your hips are splitting in two in labor? :chuckle

woot congratulations my friend! details, details!

I wanted to be a CNM too when I graduated nursing school. Well, I have gotten 2 years experience in L&D and changed my mind. I really would rather teach and work L&D part-time. I have alot of respect for CNMs and alot of the time I feel like I could manage the pts labor better then the doc, however I have also realized how much liabilty there is. Also, I really enjoy my role as a nurse with the pt. so, I would recommend getting experience first.

As far as how hard it is to return well..I am going back this fall for a Family NP degree. It is hard but for me it would have been harder to go straight out of nursing school. I would have burnt out so bad and probably failed out! :) Good Luck in whatever you decide to do.

Oh- and your original question- all the CNMs I know had previous experience.