Clinical Choices

Published

Hey there, I am always reading through the forums on here so I finally decided to create an account as I am starting my pre-reqs for nursing school after many years of going back and forth between becoming a nurse midwife or a professional midwife. I plan to get my ASN and then do a bridge program (hopefully through frontier)for nurse midwifery, ASN to MSN.

Anyhow, I have been to over 50+ births, this is my passion. I actually work as a birth assistant for a birth center currently. Anyhow, I was curious if during nursing school clinical you can do a specific area? I am sure this is something I would have to ask the nursing school about but figured I'd ask here since it is 2am and I can't sleep.

Thanks for your time,

Mama A

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED.

The schools in my area do not let you choose where you have clinicals. I had "some" choice during my final practicum. By this I mean I was allowed to give my top choices as to where I would like to have my practicum, but this was still not a guarantee. At the end of the day, you will get a wide variety of clinical experiences in order to make you a more well rounded new nurse.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

No, your clinical cannot be in a specific area. Nurses are prepared as generalists, and each state BON sets the number of hours that must be completed. The bulk of clinical hours tend to fall into medical surgical nursing.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for responding.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It depends on the nursing school, and other factors (ex. your modes of transportation, your availability, your closeness with faculty, your school's connections to clinical sites, your grades, your persistence, etc.).

It is not bad idea to ask schools about their connections to labor and delivery wards, but, be aware that these connections could change on a dime (ex. a student(s) from a year before you might destroy the school's rep with "x" clinical site; it happened (look it up) and it can happen again).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

It depends on your school and a little bit of luck to be honest. I had a classmate that got L&D for their senior practicum. A couple got ER, a couple ICU. I got LTACH. Still went on to be an ICU nurse, so it didn't hurt anything.

L&D and midwifery will still require you to know a lot about general health issues in the women you serve. You won't only see healthy specimens unfortunately and the knowledge that will help you know when a woman needs to move from birthing center to the hospital will come from you experiencing conditions both within and outside of pregnancy. Value all the education you get - ALL of it will serve you.

You sound well situated to get where you want to go! Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you, I actually plan to work with low risk women at home or a birthing center. I really prefer the CPM route (it's legal in my state) but I've read some other forums about CPM becoming CNM through here and I would hate to get my license here for them to eventually get rid of CPM's altogether. I have had all 5 of my children natural (first was induced with no epidural), the other 4 were out of hospital. I also REALLY like the fact that a CNM can transfer with the Mom to hospital if needed. ❤️

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

@blessedfamily08 - so glad you decided to take the leap, create an account, and join the discussion. The best of luck to you!!! We are here to help you on your journey.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion