CNM Job Prospects?

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Hello,

I’m currently an L&D nurse planning to attend midwifery school in the next few years. Luckily I will have plenty of L&D experience by the time I graduate (Hopefully also some postpartum and ideally an IBCLC). I should be able to work full time through most of the program then drop to per Diem towards the end as I do clinical.

However, it does concern me how few midwife positions I see advertised in my area (currently three I can find at the moment, two are per Diem and two require at least a year of full scope midwifery practice, leaving one potentially new grad friendly per Diem position, where experience is still preferred). I live in a large metropolitan area with several hospital systems and a thriving midwifery culture, both in and out of the hospital. Due to custody arrangements I’m not particularly geographically mobile, nor able to open my own practice.

Obviously I could still work as an RN after graduation, but also obviously I want to attend midwifery school in order to work as a midwife.

Is it common to be hired out of clinical placements without a job being advertised? Did it take y’all a long time (>6 months) to find a job after graduation? Did you need to relocate? Anything you did before/during/after school they helped you get hired?

Thanks!

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Sorry I can't answer your question but I would like to follow any answers. Best of luck!

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Specializes in OB.

Yes, it's common to be hired out of clinicals with no job being advertised. This happened to me and a few other classmates. I was hired a month prior to graduation. I tried to put my best foot forward at clinicals, got blessed to do my IP clinical with a preceptor I really clicked with and who spoke up for me and encouraged the director to hire me. Didn't need to relocate, however this was in NYC, where a large variety of jobs is available. Where are you located?

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Specializes in CNM.

It can take a while to actually START your job, even if you get hired right away. Something not talked about a lot (prior to starting midwifery school) is that CREDENTIALING can take a while--depending on the facility (some take 2-3+ months). So while you may graduate, get a job, etc, it will still take a little to get credentialed.

For me, I did not get a job at my clinical site--but they weren't looking as they just got new providers as I was in the midst of clinical.

I did find a job shortly after graduating, but by the time I start, it will have been 7 months since graduation (part of that is because I am moving to a state that I have never held a license and it took a while for licensing to go through as well).

A lot of people will find a job as long as they are willing to move!

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Specializes in OB.
41 minutes ago, MidwifeAPRN219 said:

CREDENTIALING can take a while--depending on the facility (some take 2-3+ months)

Or six months, like my first job---true story. Agree with the previous poster that there are lots of jobs out there, you just might have to relocate if they're not in your area.

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Does anyone know of jobs in the NYC area where the midwives do clinic and shift work on the floor? Currently in Texas, but looking to move to New York after graduating. I graduate August 2020. Should I be looking for jobs now?

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