How much experience needed before starting CNM program?

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I am currently a BSN nursing student, set to graduate in May 2009. My plan is to work for a year in labor and delivery/women's health after I graduate, then start a dual program to be a Certified Nurse Midwife Family Nurse Practitioner in Fall of 2010. The program is a two year program.

I would love more than anything to be able to do rural and international nursing and do something like Doctors Without Borders after I finish my Masters. With all of this in mind, would it be advisable to work for a year as an RN, then try to get into the Certified Nurse Midwife Family Nurse Practitioner program?

Could I get into the program only having had a year experience as an RN?

Any input you could give me would be greatly appreciated. :nurse:

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Specializes in SICU,L and D.

I would work minimum a year before even thinking about it CNM. I origianally entered nursing to do CNM. But after 3 years in L and D there are extra things that I have seen and now I wonder if I want to do it or not. Still uncertain about it. First, MDs rule the show, second hours suck, third do I wanna normal life and hrs, with FNP still can do MD without borders, fourth malpractice very high, fifth salary is no compensated enough for the work done. FNP is better hrs and no call. So there are things to think about. After some extensive travel nursing I realize I may not want to go for CNM. So I think working for about 2 years in L and D is needed so you can see how it is done in different parts of the country, and see how it is in the hospital setting. After seeing lots of cases go bad I cannot imagine working ion a birthing center....very scary things that happen in L and D even to low risk patients at times.

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I would work minimum a year before even thinking about it CNM. I origianally entered nursing to do CNM. But after 3 years in L and D there are extra things that I have seen and now I wonder if I want to do it or not. Still uncertain about it. First, MDs rule the show, second hours suck, third do I wanna normal life and hrs, with FNP still can do MD without borders, fourth malpractice very high, fifth salary is no compensated enough for the work done. FNP is better hrs and no call. So there are things to think about. After some extensive travel nursing I realize I may not want to go for CNM. So I think working for about 2 years in L and D is needed so you can see how it is done in different parts of the country, and see how it is in the hospital setting. After seeing lots of cases go bad I cannot imagine working ion a birthing center....very scary things that happen in L and D even to low risk patients at times.

I could not disagree more - if your real love and passion in life is to become a midwife then go for it - I think I would apply as soon as I could - be warned L&D nurses find birth scary as that is what they are taught and led to believe by other nurses and doctors. I have worked in the home birth - birthing center - hospital and I am as confident now about birth as I was fourteen years ago when I first went in to midwifery.

If your aim is to have an in pact on how families birth in USA being a midwife is for you.

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Specializes in SICU,L and D.

I see where you are coming from but I think it is important to think realistically about an occupation. Working in L and D and travel RN in L and D will be eye openers to how labor is managed through out the country. Do not go straight into it without getting your feet wet.

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Specializes in L&D/postpartum.

I almost went directly into a combined 2nd degree BS/MS CNM program because I knew I always wanted to be a midwife, but decided to just get my BSN first and work in L&D. I've been here for a little over a year, and will apply to start midwifery programs in Fall 2009 which would give me just over two years experience in L&D when I start.

I am SO glad I went this route, and can't imagine how stressful it would be to start a midwifery program without having the basic skills and intuition that L&D offers. After a year in L&D you are barely getting comfortable, so I'd advise a bit more if you can. I work in a midwife-friendly hospital where nurses have a lot of autonomy, and I have learned so many valuable things to take with me when I move on to grad school. Good luck!

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Specializes in Rural Health.

I think you need *some* experience before you start a CNM program, not sure it needs to all be in L&D though.

I will have been a nurse a little over 2 years when I (hopefully) start my program and I think that's about the perfect time. I feel confident in my assessment skills, I feel confident with nursing skills. I also feel comfortable talking to doctors and above all I feel comfortable with my patients.

I just recently started L&D and I have some mixed feelings on whether or not it will help me in the end. I love my job and I love doing what I do but I see so much stuff that makes me just shudder and I do not live an CNM friendly area so I don't have any support in my decision from co-workers.

By the time I start my clinicals I will have been in my L&D department for almost 3 years so I'll have the basics down and feel more confident when I start that portion.

My prospect for my preceptor said she doesn't mind students w/o L&D experience but she said it can make it hard a times because she has to focus on the basics at the beginning instead of jumping right to where we all want to be, which is to catch a baby.

By the time I finish my CNM program I will have been an RN for 6 years, 4 in L&D in almost 2 in ER. I feel, at least for me, that's gonna be an excellent mix.

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I think there are advantages to both sides. The midwifery role is not the same as working as a nurse. You see a small fraction of what a midwife does in the hospital. Much of the time is spent in office visits providing primary care. Exprience at a hospital will not help you here. It will provide you experience with the birth process and make you familiar with things you are likley to encounter. If you feel a strong passion to become a midwife, don't hesitate to go for it!

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I went into Midwifery with NO L&D experience as did everyone on my course as to work in L&D in Brittan you have to be a midwife- we had no problem picking up the clinical skills required - what I am saying if you want to be a midwife cant or don't want to get L&D experience do not let it stop you - it did not stop me and I have had a very successful career up to now

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