CNM (midwife) Burnout

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I was told by my local CNM that burnout in the midwifery field is very high - I believe she said that the average CNM only practices full-scope for 5 years! Does this seem accurate? If so, how are people avoiding it?

- Junipers

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I know this is old but I'm curious to hear more about this.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moving to CNM forum.

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

CNM burnout is a huge problem. The hours are terrible, and on-call time is often not compensated or is compensated at a reduced rate (the job I accepted pays 16 hours for every 24 hour shift on call; the midwives I know in small or solo practices do not get compensated for on call time).

The responsibility can be overwhelming, and bad outcomes can haunt you (mentally, or legally) for years to come.

We need to fight for more equitable reimbursement. On a personal level, we need to be clear about our boundaries, and make self care a priority.

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CNM burnout is a huge problem. The hours are terrible, and on-call time is often not compensated or is compensated at a reduced rate (the job I accepted pays 16 hours for every 24 hour shift on call; the midwives I know in small or solo practices do not get compensated for on call time).

The responsibility can be overwhelming, and bad outcomes can haunt you (mentally, or legally) for years to come.

We need to fight for more equitable reimbursement. On a personal level, we need to be clear about our boundaries, and make self care a priority.

That's what makes me rethink this whole career, especially the bad outcomes. At the end of day, would you chose midwifery again despite everything you wrote about?

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.
That's what makes me rethink this whole career, especially the bad outcomes. At the end of day, would you chose midwifery again despite everything you wrote about?

Yes. I could never do anything else.

Midwifery is a terrible job. Insane hours, less than ideal compensation, and when it goes bad, it goes really, really bad. I think a lot of people imagine midwifery as cute newborns and happy lovely births. That's part of it, for sure. But it's also going 48 hours without sleep, it's trying desperately and failing to save a baby with a cord prolapse, it's seeing parents abandon their newborns, it's caring for the teenager who was raped by her father.

If you love midwifery, there's no other job that compares. But it's not sunshine and roses. Its not a career to enter into lightly. I've never regretted it for a second.

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Specializes in OB.

I don't agree that midwifery is always a terrible job with insane hours. I have a very humane schedule, personally. I do agree that it's not sunshine and roses, and I also agree my compensation could be better! I don't have trouble making self-care a priority but I definitely know midwives who do.

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What's your schedule like?

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.
I don't agree that midwifery is always a terrible job with insane hours. I have a very humane schedule, personally. I do agree that it's not sunshine and roses, and I also agree my compensation could be better! I don't have trouble making self-care a priority but I definitely know midwives who do.

yes, i was definitely being hyperbolic. My point is really that delivering babies sounds like the most funnest job ever, but it is not a profession to enter into lightly.

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Specializes in OB.

My schedule is two 12-hour shifts in L&D (one night and one day), and two 8-hour days in the clinic, per week. I get four weeks of vacation per year and 12 paid holidays.

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That doesn't sound bad at all!

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Specializes in OB.

No, it's not bad. Usually twice a month I compress a clinic day and a night shift into 24 hours to be able to have a little extra time off.

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