Intro and a few questions

Hi! I'm so glad to find this site!

My name is Michelle and I am 29 and the mom of a beautiful year and a half year old. Ever since I observed a birth during a high school internship, I have been fascinated with obstetrics. Since then I got a BS in molecular and microbio (pre-med), went to school for acupuncture and am now a very, very part-time practicing acupuncturist, and I still love women's health and obstetrics and would love to further my education. Going through my pregnancy only made me realize how obsessed I am with the process.

I've gone back and forth on what would be the best option for me. I've considered MD and PA, and recently have decided that CNM is probably the best fit. I know how hard and long going for an MD would be, and I don't feel that it's worth sacrificing my family for. PA would be a good alternative, but from looking into it it seems the ob/gyn field is dominated by NP/CNM. I also like the fact that as a CNM I will have more autonomy than a PA would.

Eventually what I would like to do is work in the modern medical system in women's health while also incorporating acupuncture/herbs and a more holistic view. I know that I have several options for getting there, such as getting my RN or BSN and working for a few years then getting my masters degree. OR since I already have a bachelors in another field I did look into a few accelerated masters programs. Right now I am leaning towards getting my RN first and working in the field and then going back to school.

I'm just looking for any thoughts on whether this choice in general will be a good fit for my ultimate goals, and what the pros and cons are for each type of training to get there. I would be able to attend local schools for RN or BSN, so at this point wouldn't have to move.

Hi Meemers!

Welcome to the board.

My story is a little similar to yours. I have a bachelors in biology and have even done some graduate work. I went for my ADN, just graduated in May 2008 and am working as an L&D nurse.

I plan to get my CNM, although I haven't decided which route to take yet. I can either get my BSN and then get my masters or do Frontiers RN to CNM route. Because I have many of the pre-reqs through my bachelors, I wouldn't have to do the 'brigde program'.

I also have an interest in CAM, but it's mostly herbal medicine. So, I'm just trying to think ahead as to which school and which work setting would be a good fit for me.

Anyway, I would advise you to consider where you see yourself living in the next few years and then look at the area schools and see what their requirements are. I would also check out the job market in the area. CNMs are more marketable in some places versus others.

Keep in mind that not all CNM programs require experience. For example, Georgetown's requirement is that you are a BSN, so you can go straight from a BSN program into theirs with no nursing experience.

I'm not sure how I feel about direct entry programs. I'm in no position to look down on them but at the same time, I think it's valuable to have some nursing experience (in any speciality) before you become a CNM.

I'm sure you'll make the best decision for you and your family. I think you'll be very marketable as an acupuncturist.

If I was you I would do ADN by the fast route possible and then go straight to MSN Midwifery program - you could work as a nurse whilst applying as it will take time to get on a course- Good Luck

I hold a previous B.S. degree. Because of time and money constraints it only made sense for me to get my ADN at the time. The school was much cheaper per credit hour and much closer to my home.

I also had been researching Frontier for several years so I was aware that with my previous BS degree I could enter the MSN program with just a few extra classes (pre-reqs per se) and bypass the BSN all the way around.

Since I also hold a previous BS degree, financial aid and getting it is impossible, so that's was going to be another expense and another cost to me upfront which I had to carefully weigh when I started back to school in 2005.

My ADN route was perfect for me. I finished it in 2006 and I have worked the last 2 years while I've tried to get everything else in order for me to start back to school.

I'm currently taking my "pre-reqs" thru Frontier with hopes to enter their program in the Spring of 2009. I will be applying for the CNM program thru Frontier.

I'm very happy with my decision. I have been able to work thru NS and work the last 2 years while I saved some money (and time and energy) so I could start back to school for my MSN.

And Frontier isn't the only school with alternative entry programs for non nursing Bachelor degrees. There are tons of them out there. I just picked Frontier because of their long heritage and their passion for family centered nursing care.