Doula and Nursing Student?

Intern67 · May 15, 2010

Hey yall! So l'm taking my pre-reqs right now and plan on entering NS in May 2011. My dream is to become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, and I have anything and everything having to do with babies and childbirth! What do you think of becoming a doula? How about working as one and going to school? Thanks!

Sounds like an interesting job to have during nursing school. How would you handle the schedule?

Noelani · May 15, 2010

I seriously considered doing that but decided it just wouldn't be possible unless I worked with a group of other doulas who could cover my clients when I'm in class. I chose to be a childbirth educator instead and am very satisfied with the decision.

allnurses Guide · May 15, 2010

It'd be very hard to be a doula during nursing school due to the rigorous requirements of the education, mostly in terms of time. Your clients would need you to be able to drop whatever you are doing, whether that's clinicals, lecture, study time, taking an exam, etc. and be able to be there. All in good time - get your education and you will have many opportunities to pursue your dreams.

K nurse-one-day · May 15, 2010

How would one become a childbirth educator or a doula?

CrunchyMama, ASN, RN · May 15, 2010

I would love it and have also considered becoming an LC eventually. But I would be too frustrated with ignorant staff and parents. Depending on the area you live in, you might be able to be a doula on the side and go to school. I would maybe call other doulas in the area, unfortunately they may not be many and ask how their workload is. Good luck!

Noelani · May 15, 2010

I would start by getting certified. Doulas are certified through DONA (Doulas of North America). I think CAPPA also certifies doulas, and I'm sure there are others. I'm working through Lamaze International and ICEA (International Childbirth Educators Association) for childbirth education. Those are the main two that a hospital would want you to have to hire you. If you have a particular hospital in mind, check to see which certification they prefer. Some will only hire you if you have ICEA, others like Lamaze, and a few are more flexible. I wanted both just to cover my bases. If you plan to work privately, there are more options. I'd do a little internet research to see which organization has a philosophy similar to yours, because if you use their brand, you generally have to teach their philosophy. Some to consider would be Bradley, Birthing from Within, and HypnoBirthing. I personally was very happy with Lamaze. It's usually a good one to have for working in a hospital, but supports a normal, natural approach to birth.

AOX4RN, MSN, RN, NP · May 16, 2010

It's tough to do unless you have a back-up and your clients accept that as part of the contract. I'm a midwife in nursing school and have limited my practice to summer and winter break. During the winter break they know if they go early or late, I have to call in the back up.

Tara:) · May 16, 2010

Thanks for all yall replys. I'm still not sure if I'm going to do this or not but I will keep yall informed. I'm pretty good at multi-tasking, keeping up with quite a few things at once but yeah I think i would work with an agency.

SurroDoula · May 17, 2010

Well, I've been a doula for 7 years, and taking prereq's for the past 2 years. I work with 2 partners and basically only do backup for them when absolutely needed while I am taking classes. It's a job I LOVE, but it is really difficult to be on call 24/7 especially while in school. Plus you never know when labour will start, and how long it will last. I only went to one birth last semester, while taking my A&P classes, and that was really hard, since it was an all-nighter.

I will only be attending births during the summer breaks now, since I start nursing school this fall.