CNM hours

[UNC_nurseL&D]

I am looking at becoming a CNM/FNP at Frontier in the next few years and am just doing some research. I was wondering what the hours are like for nurse midwives. At the hospital I am currently at as a student, there is a midwifery group, and the CNMs I have talked to work atrociously long hours (up to 80 hrs a week). Is this common? I really want to go into midwifery, but not at 80hrs a week! Thanks for the input!

[LaborNurse1]

I think it depends on the practice. Many CNM's I have worked with do a 32-40 hour week. A day or two in the office with one day of call per week (24 hrs). But I am sure others do put in 80 plus hours.

[BAtoCNM]

The midwives I've spoken to in Boston work a total of 35 hours a week "officially." They are on call 1-2 times per week, which is roughly a 12 hour shift, and spend the rest of their time in the office. 80 hrs/wk doesn't make sense to me-who could be effective with that kind of schedule? Are you sure that these midwives are actually working all those hours?

[midwife2b]

I work in the office 3 days a week (or about 24 hrs/week). I make hospital rounds 2 days a week, roughly 2 hrs. each day.

Then I share call with 2 other people. Roughly 12 days a month of 24/7 call. Most of our ladies go into labor at night :)

Other places probably do things a bit differently.... but I do earn my keep with an average of 6-7 babies born per midwife per month...