Getting Midwifery Experience

[Lafont16]

I'm starting a nursing program this fall with the long term goal of eventually becoming a midwife. I've heard that it's really difficult for a new graduate to get a job in labor and delivery. So I was thinking of trying to get some experience while I'm in school. I was going to send out a resume and a really good cover letter to midwifery practices in my area to see if there are any employment/shadowing opportunities. Is this a good idea? Anything specific I should put in the letter to make it really stand out? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. :)

[Selke]

Don't presume that you won't be able to get an L&D position out of school. That's too far in the future and you cannot predict that. Provided they have a training program, most managers prefer to hire cheaper, more influencable new grads than the higher paid, seasoned RN.

Find your local doula association and join that and get doula certification (http://www.dona.org). Attend Penny Simkin's doula certification classes at Seattle Midwifery School (check out this school online; they have several continuing education courses). If you do this you will gain skills necessary for L&D nursing and especially midwifery. You'll learn how to sit with a woman in labor, and be at births. If you're ambitious enough, begin to learn how to assist with breastfeeding. Actually you might want to call your local La Leche League chapter and start attending meetings. Breastfeeding support is a necessary skill for L&D, PP, and especially midwifery, and it is not taught in RN programs well. You could then donate your doula services to the local L&D unit, or birth center, or work with the local CNM clients.

Shadowing a CNM would be for your benefit, not for obtaining an L&D RN job. Nursing managers don't care a whit about shadowing anyone. It could be a way for you to find a mentor, however, and will be something to put on your graduate school application.

CNM schools are VERY flexible as to how much L&D experience, IF ANY, you need prior to applying. I've heard some schools admit RNs without any L&D experience. Then there's the direct entry programs ... those students aren't nurses when they enter, and they admit many newly graduated RNs who don't have practical experience, either. (Don't start in about how much experience is needed, please ... ) I do think some bedside L&D nursing, at least a year, makes the midwifery program easier. You won't struggle so much in intrapartum and integration with basic fetal and maternal assessment skills ...

Many MSN classes are nonclinical and can be taken your first year or so out of your BSN program while you work and get job experience, if needed.

Good luck! There are not enough midwives out there, we need more!

[Kundera]

Just wanted to let you know that the Midwifery Today forums are an excellent resouce for aspiring midwives... There are lots of very knowledgeable and helpful women there...