leading upto midwifery....

[cookderosa]

So I have 2 RN acceptances for fall. I'm hoping to get some feedback from those who are already CNMs or on their way. I want to make the best decision and get myself into the best position for starting midwifery training.

I'm planning on getting my MSN (specifically midwifery) and have a prior non-nursing bachelor's degree. I have 6+ years doula experience and I work as a patient care tech in labor and delivery. I'm planning on applying to midwifery school as soon as possible (it varies for different programs as to when I'm qualified to apply- so that's a variable) Just for personal info- I've had 4 children, 1 and 4 in a hospital with a CNM and 2 and 3 at home with a lay midwife. I'm a LLL member, and consider myself an advocate.

First, an accelerated BSN program. I'd graduate summer of 2012. It's $35,000 that I'd have to borrow all of, but I have no other debt. It's a private hospital affiliated program, and I work at this hospital. Fully accredited, and my OB clinical supervisor is a midwife I have a relationship with. Another instructor happens to ALSO be a lay midwife who was at my 4th child's birth, and is a homebirth midwife who is pretty well known. Her work at the college as an instructor is mainstream maternal care (not to say I couldn't do some work on the down low for her as an attendant). Additionally, a midwife who was an apprentice at my first child's birth has offered to be my preceptor for my last semester elective- essentially an intern type situation. Everything about the quality of these experiences is very exciting. They also have very expensive SIM labs, and state of the art facilities. Class sizes in lecture are about 24, clinicals about 8.

Second, a community college ADN program. I'd graduate summer 2013. It's $5,000 per year but I could pay cash. I'd have to do additional schooling (bridge or BSN) in order to start a midwifery program. This puts me graduating as midwife at LEAST 2 years further out. This program gets sloppy seconds for clinicals- could be anywhere any shift. I also, however, work at this college. (Faculty member for 17 years...so, I know the instructors, for good or bad. They don't do the last semester elective, so no chance of working with my midwife as a preceptor, I'll just graduate and then have to get the extra experiences on my own. Upside- my job would pay for $1200 per year in return for a year of service. I'd be locked in - but this program has an amazing schedule. 1 evening per week plus clinicals every other weekend. I have 4 children, so this would be the best fit PERIOD.

Midwife school is expensive, so it's not only the cost of the BSN, but also the additional cost of the MSN. This "could" be offset by entering the workforce 2 years EARLIER as a midwife - making the financial issues a little muddier.

So, besides my personal preference (the accelerated BSN would win) and the cost issue (the CC would win) and getting to work with a few really great faculty (the BSN would win) and maybe even factoring in the issue of additional schooling....but the schedule of the CC is such a plus.... I'm feeling like the BSN would be better for me as a nurse, but the CC better for me as a wife and mother, and the debt concerns me.

What else am I missing? Are there other factors I've not considered??

[arabianeyez83]

Seems like you've considered everything lol. I would choose the BSN route for sure. You would get more experience that way, and you would reach your goal much faster! I work full time and I still chose to do the Midwife program full time just to be done with. Just finished my first semester. It went by so quick. I have a 9 month old. It is very hard to study because all I want to do is spend time with him, but I tell myself it is just 2 years and I will be done. You do what you have to do!

[birthrevolution]

I would go for the BSN route, that will leave less work to do when have to get your MSN! Not to mention that the BSN program just sounds like a better program in general. You want good clinical experiences, especially in Med-Surg before you head into clinical practice. $35K is a lot of debt, but you will get into practice sooner and pay it off on a nurse's salary. I know you say you would have to borrow all of it, but there might be other scholarships or scholarship-loans that would help offset the cost as well.

[LoveANurse09]

Wow, the typical job vs. mother thing! It sounds like you've considered it all though. I'd go with the BSN. It sounds like you'd get an awesome learning experience there, which is most important. Plus, you have awesome contacts there! All the more easier to get a job after graduation. You get what you pay for I guess. Luckily, you dont have much debt to begin with. Good Luck and let us know how it goes!

[kris10xxx86]

I'm currently an LPN with the ultimate goal of becoming a CNM. Which route would be wiser: LPN to BSN to MSN... OR LPN to RN to MSN?? Which route would be faster and more cost effective? Which route would have more CNM schools open/available to me.. as a RN or BSN? Ready to take the next step further to becoming a CNM, just not sure which route to take to get there?! How many years until I reach my ultimate goal of becoming a CNM? Thank you for any information or insight you might have!