CNM path questions...

RosaleiMae · Feb 18, 2013

Sorry for typos... using my phone : )

queenanneslace, ADN, MSN, APRN, CNM · Feb 18, 2013

So is it crazy of me to be doing it this way? With prior degrees does it seem silly to not do a 2nd career MSN program right away?

I don't think so. The expense of direct-entry MSN programs is considerable. For some it is worth the $100K+ of school loans they will incur, for others taking a path that's a little bit longer (and a lot cheaper!) makes more sense.

One semester and $10,000 into a direct-entry MSN program, and I quit. The expense was too much - the job I would have had to get to pay off those loans was not the type of midwifery I wanted to practice. I've just completed an ADN program - and all my re-reqs are fulfilled for applying to MSN/CNM programs - since I'd had these as an undergrad applying to direct-entry programs.

There are days where I wish I would have just done it - so I wasn't still constantly working on this "I-wanna-be-a-midwife" thing. But I see my friends who are 5-6-7 years after graduation as CNMs and still paying off their incredible debt loads. It is a trade-off.

Making it so it's cost-effective is not silly.

I'm working on a doula certification and have some birth experience besides my own children's births. I'm also a babywearing educator and I've done work with pregnant and parenting populations when I was still in the social work field...

This is great! All these experiences will help you.

tiasilsil · Feb 18, 2013

Hi Ladies!

I had been reading so much about pathways to becoming a midwife! I know I want to go for CNM and I have this feeling about being a midwife for a long time... Since I was 5 years old I wanted to be around babies and pregnant women.

I've been living in the US for almost 4 years now and I had this idea of going to nursing school because I just love to care for people and help out. I didn't think of myself being a midwife because I thought it was "too big of a dream to dream"! After doing research I realize that I can do it!

I'll be 27 soon and I will finish my prerequisites to apply for a Nursing Program in the fall 2013. I live in Seattle and the programs are so competitive that scares me.

I work as a nanny since I moved here from Brazil and doing two class per quarter is being crazy busy. But I'll keep trying!

My fear now is not how hard it is or how costly, but how many more years will it take? I desperately want to have kids after I'm done with school. My husband's family is in NY and mine in Brazil so it would be hard to have kids without any help ( if I'm going to school)

Did anyone have the same worries, trying to rush so you can start your family?

Also I'm planning on applying for an Associates in Nursing at the Community College which is a great program! I'm just afraid of not getting in right away because I still don't have my CNA! I'm doing volunteer hours at a hospital + classes + 9 hours a day of work = is making me nervous about not getting a 4.0 on every class.

I saw that Frontier has a distance program where I apply after finish my ADN and I become a CNM after three years, without getting a BSN. Do you think this is a good option or should I try the ABSN first?

Thank you all!

EmmKay · Feb 25, 2013

Hi Tiasilsil,

I think it's great that you know your passion so early. I'm just starting out myself so probably not in a good place to guide you, but thought I would mention the ABSN programs are only for people who already have a bachelors in something. Have you done that already?

The only other thing I have heard is that it is good to get a BSN for job purposes but having said that, it seems fresh grads from ABSN programs are having a hard time finding jobs. If you become a CNM then you will have an MSN so I should think it makes no difference if you have a BSN or not. I think the issue might be IF You think you may take a break after the ADN and have your babies and then go back to school for the MSN for CNM- then it may make sense to have a BSN so you can work if need be.

The other thing is write to Frontier and ask if they need you to have worked as a nurse after for ADN before you apply for the masters, because I know for other programs they do.

Good luck

Emily

EmmKay · Feb 25, 2013

Rosalei,

I am a lot like you, MSW, small kid :) As much as I would love to just get into one MSN program and become a CNM in 3 years, I'm leaning towards an ABSN first also... I feel like it just gives me more flexibility with my kid. I do worry that it involves a whole other applying cycle for the masters portion but I worry about signing up to a 3 year MSN commitment and then for some reason, needing to stop or move or something...I'm trying to figure out how the cost breaks down for

ABSN + Distance MSN in CNM ( say from Frontier) vs a 3 year direct entry MSN .... the ADN route doesn't make sense for me as it would actually take me longer then the ABSN.... so if anyone knows how much the MSN from Frontier costs, I would love that info!

How much is your ABSN costing? The program I'm looking at is about 57,000$ ( yikes) but is an online flexible format so means I could minimize the days my kid would need to be in daycare, which is important to me

emily

RosaleiMae · Feb 26, 2013

Rosalei,
I am a lot like you, MSW, small kid :) As much as I would love to just get into one MSN program and become a CNM in 3 years, I'm leaning towards an ABSN first also... I feel like it just gives me more flexibility with my kid. I do worry that it involves a whole other applying cycle for the masters portion but I worry about signing up to a 3 year MSN commitment and then for some reason, needing to stop or move or something...I'm trying to figure out how the cost breaks down for
ABSN + Distance MSN in CNM ( say from Frontier) vs a 3 year direct entry MSN .... the ADN route doesn't make sense for me as it would actually take me longer then the ABSN.... so if anyone knows how much the MSN from Frontier costs, I would love that info!
How much is your ABSN costing? The program I'm looking at is about 57,000$ ( yikes) but is an online flexible format so means I could minimize the days my kid would need to be in daycare, which is important to me
emily

My ABSN is NYS tuition... the 15m program will cost me about $10,000 at the most... covered by fed loans and fed nursing loans. Although it'll bring my student loan debt to almost $70,000 : (

It's still worth it since BSN RNs in my area make double what MSWs do...

I have no clue how I'll pay for MSN/CNM, but we'll cross that bridge later on... I'm mostly worrying about getting our family through the next 15 months. I just keep saying it'll fly by and it's totally worth it!!!

EmmKay · Feb 27, 2013

Rosalei,

That's fantastic! 10K sounds like a steal to me! Go for it girl! I unfortunately don't qualify for instate tuition anywhere but even if I did, I think in MA, the UMASS degree is still more like 25-27k!

I can understand the worry about the family- what are your plans for child care while you are in the school? I do think the 15 months will fly by for you as you'll be so busy, but maybe they will drag for your partner? So maybe make sure he is a 100% on board, after all in the greater scheme of things, 15 months is nothing right? :)

I live no where near any family and my husband travels sporadically but long trips for work, so for e.g, he may be at home working from home Jan-March but then he'll be away 3 weeks mid July type, so I'm not too sure yet what I would do with our toddler. I can't really afford full time help, especially while paying for nursing school!

We're all going to get there in the end!

Em

RosaleiMae · Feb 28, 2013

Rosalei,
That's fantastic! 10K sounds like a steal to me! Go for it girl! I unfortunately don't qualify for instate tuition anywhere but even if I did, I think in MA, the UMASS degree is still more like 25-27k!
I can understand the worry about the family- what are your plans for child care while you are in the school? I do think the 15 months will fly by for you as you'll be so busy, but maybe they will drag for your partner? So maybe make sure he is a 100% on board, after all in the greater scheme of things, 15 months is nothing right? :)
I live no where near any family and my husband travels sporadically but long trips for work, so for e.g, he may be at home working from home Jan-March but then he'll be away 3 weeks mid July type, so I'm not too sure yet what I would do with our toddler. I can't really afford full time help, especially while paying for nursing school!
We're all going to get there in the end!
Em

Yea... NYS tuition is pretty reasonable, of course our taxes are insane... but that's a whole different topic.

My schedule is 4 days a week and my husband is home one of those days anyway, so we're hiring someone for the 3 days. It'll be a bit of a burden, but only 15 months has become our mantra. I keep trying to make my husband understand how much work it's going to be and the time suck that studying will be... but he's all for it. He was with me during grad school so he has some idea, but we'll see : )

It'll be over so fast and it'll be worth it. I've never really left my kids, especially my baby so it'll be tough... thankfully he's our easiest baby so far though so I think it'll be okay!

EmmKay · Mar 1, 2013

Sounds like a plan! Good luck hun, I'm sure it will go by super fast and your kids will have a HAPPIER mama which I think, in the end, makes you a much better parent right?

Are you planning on getting someone to stay with the baby at home or are you thinking day care?

Mine is two and I'm really not sure what to do with him- I even thought about doing the ADN- but full time it takes 2 years, so it's not really helping my situation per se...

Any way- best of luck on your journey, I think it's awesome.

biggolp · Mar 1, 2013

RoalieiMae, can I ask which ABSN program you are in?

I'm in NY, too, and am considering going for an ABSN as well. (My Bachelor's is in Human Services.)

Also, are there pre-reqs to the ABSN program?

Thanks in advance for your assistance!

RosaleiMae · Mar 1, 2013

Sounds like a plan! Good luck hun, I'm sure it will go by super fast and your kids will have a HAPPIER mama which I think, in the end, makes you a much better parent right?
Are you planning on getting someone to stay with the baby at home or are you thinking day care?
Mine is two and I'm really not sure what to do with him- I even thought about doing the ADN- but full time it takes 2 years, so it's not really helping my situation per se...
Any way- best of luck on your journey, I think it's awesome.

Definitely hiring someone in our home, daycare is so expensive with two kids and I'm just not comfortable with a baby in daycare. Plus our schedule isn't traditional and we cloth diaper so most daycares aren't exactly thrilled to take us on. Haha.

It's so hard to decide the best plan when you have young kids. I hope you figure it all out! Best wishes!