Call shifts and commuting distance

Specialties CNM

Published

Hi everyone,

I am a new CNM and new mom considering a move to a medium sized city for a full time CNM position with 48-72 hours of hospital call per week, in a practice that has about 30 deliveries per month. At that caseload, I foresee being able to leave the hospital at times, and ideally sleeping at home when there are no admitted L&D patients.

The city has very limited rental options in the immediate area of town where the hospital is. However, there are a ton of rental options in a growing area about 20 minutes away (by car, per Google Maps). I am concerned that this may be too far. As a new midwife I would probably feel most at ease staying in a call room in the hospital, but as a new mom I would like to be able to sleep as much as possible at home with my newborn. Of course I will confirm with the back-up physician his expectations, but I also hoped to gain some insight from experienced midwives here.

What do you all believe is a reasonable door to door commute for an on call midwife sleeping at home?

Thanks in advance!

I'd ask your supervisor what the expectation is. Since your specialty takes so much call, I'm sure there's a policy or at least a general guideline. There may also be specific EMTALA-style federal/state regulations (i.e. arriving within an hour of being called).

+ Add a Comment