Is it time?

doulalove · Aug 18, 2008

I think you'll need to complete the prereqs whether or not you choose the RN or BSN track, so why not get started? You could start some of the less intense classes to get started and see if it feels right, and then go from there. Good luck!!

RNLaborNurse4U · Aug 19, 2008

I would go for the first RN program you mentioned, and start getting those prereq's done! I've heard that competition for spots in the RN programs are getting fierce, due to increased applicants, and not enough faculty at some colleges. The more prereq's you get done, the better chance you have of getting into an RN program.

SwampCat, BSN · Aug 21, 2008

:up: I'm pretty much in the same boat, too. I'm nearly 27, have 2 kids (6 and almost 3). I'm starting my prenursing classes (1 at a time) this semester. I'm planning on going for my ADN at the local community college (hopefully graduating 2014) and working for a yr or two somewhere women's health relevant and then trying for Frontier since they have the ADN-CNM program. I'm not willing at this point to put anything in front of my family, so I have a long road ahead of me. I would definently go the community college route since it is WAY cheaper.

:yeah: congrats on finding your passion when you were a teen....I was too busy partying to think long term and now I'm paying for it!

DoulaCBE · Nov 7, 2008

wow, it is so nice that others are in the same position as me. i am 28 and a mom of two little ones. i don't want to put anything ahead of my family. so, i was thinking of taking one pre-req class at a time and see how that feels. i may be able to put more on my plate. when they are both in school i will probably go to school full time. i am looking for a program in my town that offers the associates in nursing, but have yet to find it. why do some call it an adn? what does that stand for? :rolleyes:

Bree124, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2008

ADN = associate degree in nursing

ASN = associate of science in nursing

I think they are for all intents and purposes interchangeable, just different terminology for different schools.

LLLovely, BSN, RN · Dec 18, 2008

Personally, I would go to the four-year program. You're more likely to get into the clinical portion of the program if you do your prereq work at the same school and get to know the faculty. Of course, either way, hard work and good grades are essential. But, you will get into the swing of how they do things at your school, and when you're done you will have a BSN which makes it easier to apply to Frontier or any other CNM program.

If you do the ADN route, you'll spend nearly as much time on getting your RN, but you won't have the BSN and getting into a bridge program is just another hurdle and a lot of additional work when you should be focusing on your midwife skills.

cnm in progress · Dec 31, 2008

I am a happily married mother or 2 young boys (1 1/2 and 3), who will be 30 in January. I have dreamed of becoming a midwife since I was a teen. I had both of my boys in a hospital setting the first with a OB and the second with a Midwife. Those experiences only affirmed my dreams. My aunt is beginning her nursing school in a few weeks and has encouraged me to pursue my passion. I am very strongly considering it and am looking into my options.
I am thinking of going to my community college and starting prereq classes in a few weeks. They offer an associates degree in nursing(RN). They offer a 2 or 3 year program. I was considering taking their degree program and then the Frontier bridge CNM program.
My other option is going to the University of Pittsburgh's 4yr BSN nursing program. I will still have to complete a distance CNM program, because moving isn't an option and spending that much time away from my boys isn't an option either.
UPMC also has a 76 week diploma program that will allow you to take the state boards for your RN. I am not sure if there is any way to translate this into a CNM degree.
Which is the better option? Are there other options? Thanks for all of your input. After spending one day reading through this website I can see that it is a valuable resource.
-Kellie

I don't know if money is an issue for you, but Pitt's program is very expensive. The UPMC diploma program is VERY good, but it's not 76 weeks. It's 21 months, and you come out with a diploma in nursing. You get a better clinical experience at UPMC Shadyside in my opinion, but you trade off the theory, research, etc... but it doesn't matter because you'll get that in the bridge program at Frontier.

Option A--Pitt...very $$$, 4 years of education (if you don't need prereqs first), then you have to work for at least 1 year before applying to Frontier.

Option B--UPMC Shadyside...much cheaper (they probably even still have the tuition reimbursement program, so you don't even pay tuition while in school...you just have to agree to work for UPMC for 2 years after graduation), only 21 months...then you can work and have income while completing the bridge program at Frontier for the next year. You'll start midwifery school after 3 years instead of after 5. This is the route I took, although I didn't have to do the bridge because I had a previous Bachelor's degree in another field.