Getting into Georgetown CNM/WHNP Program without experience

[TarheelGirlx3]

Hi all. I've been searching the threads up and down for an answer to my question, so sorry if it is way back buried somewhere and I can't find it. But I am very interested in Georgetown's CNM/WHNP online program. I recently graduated (May) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with my BSN. I was in the accelerated BSN program as a second degree student (graduated from UNC in 2013 with bio and psych degree). I just started working this month in a coronary care unit, however my passion is nurse midwifery and women's health. I am very focused on my education and don't want to wait years before staring grad school...I want to have that done before me and my fiance have children, buy a house, etc. and I just want to keep going while I'm on a roll if possible. I spoke with an admissions counselor from the program and she made it sound like it was semi easy to get into and that experience wasn't required, etc. but I know it has to be pretty competitive because, after all, it is GU! Now my nursing GPA is pretty good..3.9. I worked as a CNA before nursing school but it was just med/surg and LTC. My question is how realistic is it that I would get into the program without any OB/L&D, doula, IBCLC, etc. experience?

[DreamerMW]

I don't personally know anything about Georgetown University, but if you're set on becoming a CNM fast, PhilaU doesn't require any experience.

[TarheelGirlx3]

I appreciate your advice, but unfortunately I'm not able to attend PhilaU. I live in NC, and that program does not accept NC students due to NC board of approval

[Rebeccas23]

Hi TarHeel,

Many programs are open to accepting students wtihout nursing L&D experience because they themselves offer direct entry programs for second degree students who will graduate with a masters degree without any nursing experience. That being said, getting into these programs as a current BSN-graduate nurse is very competative and usually requires A LOT of experience within the field, either shadowing, working in clinics, volunteering/working as a doula/IBCLC/childbirth educator. If you look at any forum dedicated to graduate student programs, you'll see how qualified these applicants are, both scholastically and as a volunteer/working student. I would definitely get yourself involved in those areas however you can before applying. Like the previous poster, I don't know about Georgetown personally (wish I'd know it was "semi-easy to get into"), but I went through the application process last fall for CNM schools and, trust me, it is a wildly competitive field, especially for those of us who already have their BSNs. Good luck!

[seattleguy]

Hello, I am in that program now at Georgetown. I was accepted with only a few months of experience, pretty much right out of school. I think that you will have a good chance of getting in if your grades meet the requirements. Good luck!

[TarheelGirlx3]

Thank you, I was wanting to hear if someone had specifically gained admission right out of school! My grades are good, so hopefully killer essays and letters of recommendation will help! How do you like the program so far? Do you work full time while going through the program?

[TarheelGirlx3]

And any tips for the admissions process? Hoping to have my app submitted this week!

[carolinaNS]

I too graduated from UNC-CH SON (BSN program) this May, and I am beginning the Vanderbilt CNM program in August! I really looked into the Georgetown program, and from what I could tell through a few phone conversations with people working in admissions, they are quite open to candidates without L&D RN experience. However, I would say that it is important to have some other experience with birth. They want to see that you know what you are getting into! I would highly recommend doula training (you could be trained with the UNC Birth Partners if you are still in the area). During school, I was a doula and I had an externship on an extremely busy L&D unit. I think these experiences were key for my applications (especially as someone with no RN experience).

But on another note, I have also talked with admissions people who highly value RN experience in any field, not just L&D. Happy to see that there is another recent UNC grad with similar ambitions!

[TarheelGirlx3]

Thanks for the response! Are you attending Vanderbilt online? From my research I found they don't accept NC students online .

[seattleguy]

Hello, sadly there really isnt much time for work. My husband works, so thats great. I would highly recommend not working if at all possible.

[Rebeccas23]

I appreciate your advice, but unfortunately I'm not able to attend PhilaU. I live in NC, and that program does not accept NC students due to NC board of approval

Just curious, why don't they accept North Carolina students? Is there something different about the education/clinicals? You mention Vanderbilt also not accepting NC students? I hadn't heard of that before.

[TarheelGirlx3]

Just curious, why don't they accept North Carolina students? Is there something different about the education/clinicals? You mention Vanderbilt also not accepting NC students? I hadn't heard of that before.

It has to do with the NC Board of Governors and the approval process for out of state online studies. This is pasted from Vanderbilt's MSN website:

"Pursuant to University of North Carolina Board of Governors Rules and Standards regarding licensure of distance learning post-secondary degree activity, clinical practica and field research generally require licensure by the state of North Carolina. Vanderbilt University School of Nursing is working towards authorization. Effective August 1, 2014, VUSN will close admissions to its distance programs or clinical placements in North Carolina until the programs are authorized by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors. All North Carolina students admitted prior to August 1, 2014, are approved by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors to complete their plan of studies."