Frontier Midwifery School

AlaskaKat · Apr 6, 2005

I've been looking at this school for a long time and it does seem solid. They DO require at least a year nursing experience for admission, which I think is a good thing.

CNMs are nurses, they should not forget that background. They are not doctors and generally don't follow a medical model. I'm not saying that there are not midwives that induce like mad and monitor everyone, but I have to agree that there are a lot of us labor nurses out here that still remember how to birth without drugs and how to support people in their decisions. I think people going into birth without any trepidition are foolish. Things happen. You know it and I know it. A good midwife knows it and can still provide very good very low intervention care to her mamas.

parteiranagua · Apr 11, 2005

I've been looking at this school for a long time and it does seem solid. They DO require at least a year nursing experience for admission, which I think is a good thing.
CNMs are nurses, they should not forget that background. They are not doctors and generally don't follow a medical model. I'm not saying that there are not midwives that induce like mad and monitor everyone, but I have to agree that there are a lot of us labor nurses out here that still remember how to birth without drugs and how to support people in their decisions. I think people going into birth without any trepidition are foolish. Things happen. You know it and I know it. A good midwife knows it and can still provide very good very low intervention care to her mamas.

ok girls!!!! stop right here....

u probably are aware that some midwives were not trained as nurses before entering MW school. So where do they stand? they have the same accreditation and training!!!!

Ginny Doula RN BSN SNM

SmilingBluEyes · Apr 11, 2005

We already went through all of that, Ginny.

parteiranagua · Apr 12, 2005

We already went through all of that, Ginny.

yes indeed we have as seen in previous posts as well... just a reminder.. :)

Ginny Doula RN BSN SNM

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Apr 12, 2005

What kind of reputation does it have?

Mary Breckinridge introduced a model rural health care system into the United States in 1925. To provide professional services to neglected people of a thousand square mile area in southeastern Kentucky, she created a decentralized system of nurse-midwives, district nursing centers, and hospital facilities. Originally called the Kentucky Committee for Mothers and Babies, later the Frontier Nursing Service (FNS), the system lowered the rate of death in childbirth in Leslie County, Kentucky, from the highest in the nation to substantially below the national average. Thanks to FNS, nurse-midwives were no more than six miles away from any patients. Providing both preventive and curative nursing, FNS continues to serve this region. Staff members of the FNS formed the beginnings of the American College of Nurse-Midwives in 1929. The first school of midwifery was started at the Maternity Center in New York in 1932 by a FNS-certified nurse-midwife member. The FNS began its own school in 1939. http://nursingworld.org/hof/brecmx.htm

This program is one of the oldest in the nation and has an international reputation for educating quality midwives. Their low tech approach influence birthing trends across the country especially since the 80's return to more natural childbirth.

Hope the OP gets to attend this program.

SmilingBluEyes · Apr 12, 2005

ok girls!!!! stop right here....
u probably are aware that some midwives were not trained as nurses before entering MW school. So where do they stand? they have the same accreditation and training!!!!
Ginny Doula RN BSN SNM

You asked where they stand; I think you do know already. They are Certified Nurse Midwives upon graduation and taking their boards and to be recognized and treated as such. No one is arguing that.

That they lack experience as nurses first is controversial as to whether it is good or not. I have never worked with a midwife who did not work as a bedside nurse first, so I can't judge how "good" they are. I imagine the learning curve is steep, but as motivated as midwives are to provide good care, not insurmountable for these folks. I am sure they turn out wonderful midwives from all walks from this school. Their reputation is sound. Last I heard, however, they did require "some" experience as a nurse, first. If I am wrong, correct me.

No matter, I wish all aspiring midwives the best of luck in their pursuits. We need more of you! I wish we saw more of them here at these boards posting their experiences and opinions! :)

fergus51 · Apr 12, 2005

I have only heard good things about this school. I am seriously considering saving up some money and applying some day:D

As far as the CNM vs direct entry midwives.... There is room for both and I see no reason to dredge up conflict here. Personally I would use a CNM based on my experiences with them, but I can understand why someone else may prefer a direct entry midwife and say more power to them. The important thing is supporting women in the choices that they make for themselves.

OT, but I hate when people say nurses are "stuck in the medical model". It's a disrespectful generalization and ignores the fact that nursing has its own perspective. I'm not the MD's handmaiden.

SmilingBluEyes · Apr 12, 2005

I
OT, but I hate when people say nurses are "stuck in the medical model". It's a disrespectful generalization and ignores the fact that nursing has its own perspective. I'm not the MD's handmaiden.

this is what I take issue with, as well. It insults all of us who chose to be nurses and are proud of our choice. Thank you. We all need to be mindful to whom we are speaking and who reads these things. there is no need to insult an entire profession of people in stating what we feel. Thank you fergus.

expatnurse · Apr 12, 2005

I have only heard good things about this school. I am seriously considering saving up some money and applying some day:D
As far as the CNM vs direct entry midwives.... There is room for both and I see no reason to dredge up conflict here. Personally I would use a CNM based on my experiences with them, but I can understand why someone else may prefer a direct entry midwife and say more power to them. The important thing is supporting women in the choices that they make for themselves.
OT, but I hate when people say nurses are "stuck in the medical model". It's a disrespectful generalization and ignores the fact that nursing has its own perspective. I'm not the MD's handmaiden.

In USA do we have direct entry midwives? I know they do in UK but I have never heard of it in USA.

SmilingBluEyes · Apr 12, 2005

yes there are direct entry midwives in the USA.

fergus51 · Apr 12, 2005

In USA do we have direct entry midwives? I know they do in UK but I have never heard of it in USA.

Yes we do. I don't think those programs are as common, but they are out there. Canada has them as well and they tend to believe that nursing and midwifery are completely separate disciplines. I personally don't feel that way and at the risk of being flamed, I wasn't as impressed with those midwives in Canada. However, the fact that the UK can produce excellent midwives is one reason I don't have a problem with the idea of direct entry midwives. I've worked with several UK midwives over the years and have really admired them for their abilities, so I'm sure a good direct entry program can produce great midwives. The main disadvantage I see to these programs is that it isn't always easy to work. Some states require a masters' degree to practise midwifery.

eltrip · Apr 12, 2005

Here is their website for anyone interested:
http://www.midwives.org/Default.htm

Deb,

Thanks for posting the website. I first heard about FSN when I was in my nursing program several years ago. They've always had a good reputation. I really like the idea of not having to go along with the semester system. This could be doable for me!