How can I strengthen my application to Nurse Midwifery school?

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Specializes in Pediatric Heme-Onc, Breast Onc.

Hello,

I am a Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Nurse with less than a year of nursing experience. I graduated from a 2nd degree program with the ultimate goal of becoming a nurse midwife, however I chose not to work in L&D after graduating and instead chose peds bmt because I felt the critical care experience would give me some diversity, and really the decision just felt right.

I still have my dream of becoming a nurse midwife but I'm concerned that my choice to work in Peds has hindered me from my goal in some way. To keep some focus in that area I volunteer once a week on the L&D floor and teach the community occasional childbirthing class. Is this enough to make my application competitive? I am contemplating becoming a certified doula, but feel that in the time it takes me to become certified, I'll be ready to apply to a CNM program. There is only one birthing center in the area which is not currently hiring RNs, and I am not too keen on switching to the L&D unit at the hospital where I work. I was offered a position there when I graduated, but was pretty unimpressed.

Before nursing school I worked in international public health for a pediatric AIDS non-profit, and spent time in Africa with the peace corps. Anything I can add to make my application too competitive? Should I wait until I have a full year of experience to apply?

Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks so much and good luck to those who have applications in already!

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Specializes in L&D.

I think your qualifications sound great - there is a peds nurse in my midwifery program, and she didn't have any trouble getting accepted (nor does she plan to find an L&D job before graduation, to my knowledge). If you have specific questions, I'd recommend calling the director of the program to see if there is anything they prefer to see on applications, I think they tend to be pretty honest with applicants.

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Specializes in NICU Transport/NICU.

Sounds to me that you should be a Pediatric NP.

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Specializes in L&D, Mother/Baby.

cj,

I graduated from nursing school in May 08 and was just accepted to Frontier's midwifery program. I have been working as an RN on a cardiac telemetry unit for about 16 months. I would've liked to have been hired in L&D but the jobs for unexperienced nurses in my area are few and far between. I am a birth doula (trained but not certified) and while I think the training will definitely help me in my future practice, it gives you a totally different perspective on labor/birth than that of a L&D RN or CNM. But the educational and advocacy aspects of the job can be very helpful in learning about pregnancy in childbirth if you have no experience. So if it makes sense for your situation, go for it (sadly I am unable to practice as a doula because of my work schedule), but even if you're unable to make it work, I wouldn't let that keep you from applying to schools. You have a much more impressive resume than I, so I say go for it!

Good luck!

Elise

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Specializes in Women's Health Nurse Practitioner.

eager1hasbegun- I am applying to the midwifery program at Frontier. I also graduated with my BSN in 2008, and have since been working in the NICU. I am so nervous, as I feel I may not be qualified enough to get into the program with my experience. Are there many people in your class that did not have L&D experience? Also, how do you like the program so far? Any information would be greatly appreciated!!!

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Specializes in L&D, Mother/Baby.

I would say about 20-40% of my class did not work in L&D prior to starting the program. Everyone has different levels of experience and qualifications. So if you meet the minimum requirements, go for it! Right now, it's too early for me to say how I feel about the program (I'm doing the Bridge so it doesn't quite feel like grad school yet). Distance learning is a big challenge for me, so that's my biggest obstacle: creating "class time" in my schedule. But the staff and faculty are welcoming and ready to help, and orientation was a great experience. Hope this helps, feel free to contact me with any more questions!

Elise

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Specializes in Cardiac.

eager1- I too have been working cardiac telemetry for about 13 months. Midwifery has always been my dream. I will be applying for the bridge program at Frontier as well. How is it going for you so far? Are you still working fulltime?

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