Maternity Nurse/Mid-Wife

ayndim · Dec 3, 2004

i am planning on attending college in the fall of 2005. i want to be a maternity nurse but i just want to get some things straight before i proceed onto college. first off, (this might sound dumb but i want to get it straight) i wanted to know if there are specific nurses for the maternity ward (maternity nurses) or are the considered mid-wifes. second, i wanted to know what kind of degree i would need to become a maturnity nurse.....rn or bsm. and i wanted to know what the difference was between the 2 degrees. all help and advice will be appreciated. thanx!

some of this will depend if you are in teh us or the uk. if you are in the us, you get your rn (adn or bsn) and if you got an adn you can finish the bsn while you are gaining your year of experience in labor and delivery(maternity ward). you must be a rn to get into the cnm schools. in the us, there are nurse who work in l&d, as well as the drs/cnms who deliver.

if you are in the uk (the term maternity ward is more of a uk term that is why i am assuming that you might be in the uk) then you must get a qualification as a midwife to work on l&d. there are no rn's there (at least when i left the uk). the whole ward is run by the midwifes. when i was in the uk it was pretty hard to get into the midwife program without first being an rn.

in the us, all registered nurses are rns, whether they have a diploma, adn/asn or bsn.

hope that helps.

bambi147 · Dec 3, 2004

Some of this will depend if you are in teh US or the UK. If you are in the US, you get your RN (ADN or BSN) and if you got an ADN you can finish the BSN while you are gaining your year of experience in labor and delivery(maternity ward). You must be a RN to get into the CNM schools. In the US, there are nurse who work in L&D, as well as the drs/cnms who deliver.
If you are in the UK (the term maternity ward is more of a UK term that is why I am assuming that you might be in the UK) then you must get a qualification as a midwife to work on L&D. There are no RN's there (at least when I left the UK). The whole ward is run by the Midwifes. When I was in the UK it was pretty hard to get into the midwife program without first being an RN.
In the US, all registered nurses are RNs, whether they have a diploma, ADN/ASN or BSN.
Hope that helps.

Thanks for the help. I am from the US.

So what your saying is when I go to college, I should major in RN because BSM is included in the RN?

SmilingBluEyes · Dec 3, 2004

NO---I believe you misunderstand. Let me try and clarify: there are 3 programs of study in the USA to get your RN:

diploma ---a hospital-based intensive 3 year program of study, these are getting rare to come by. Most are on the East Coast. VERY good programs, if you can find one.

ADN ---Associate's Degree in Nursing, you pursue this program at a community college ---traditionally called a 2 year program, because that is what the NURSING portion of it takes. You have to have a lot of prerequisite courses along with it, and likely you will take more like 3 or more years to get this degree. Roughy 60% of entry-level RN's have THIS degree, first.

BSN---Bachelors of Science in Nursing----earned after completion of a 4 year program of study at a 4 year university. You can also go there as an RN with an associate's or diploma degree to complete a BSN. It can take more than 4 years, if you are not loading up on classes each semester pretty heavily. Roughly 30-35% of entry-level RN's have this degree when they graduate to become an RN's.

What you chose is up to you. I don't believe one is "better" than the other....but if given a choice, I would go for a BSN. If you want to one day be a midwife and pursue a Certified Nurse Midwifery education, you will need a BSN first anyhow. Some universities offer online/non-traditional programs of study for BSN completion. Something to consider if you decide to pursue an ADN or Diploma first.

Also: if you already have a bachelor's degree or higher, some universities offer fast-track BSN and/or MSN (master's degree) programs. These are designed for those already holding degrees and are intensive, fast-paced nursing-coursework-centered programs.

Here is a website to help you find universities and colleges that have nursing programs of study/schools of nursing.

http://www.allnursingschools.com

You will want to narrow down what universities/colleges you want to look into and find out what classes to begin taking. Entry to nursing school is NOT a given and very, very competitive. Some places have 2 or more years' waiting lists just to APPLY, so you are wise to get your prerequisite courses (algebra, speech, history, government, english comp, anatomy/physiology, microbiology, etc) finished up FIRST. These are your NON-nursing "building- block classes".

You will need good grades in your pre-req classes and decent SAT or ACT scores to get into most programs, also---- so study, study, study! After graduating, you will need to take a national exam called the NCLEX to actually become licensed to practice as an RN.

Good luck. Let us know if you have more questions. And, welcome to the boards!

It's up to you. I hope this post helps clear things up for you regarding entry to Registered Nursing practice.

BETSRN · Dec 4, 2004

It is BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) NOT BSM. May I ask where you are from? Are you presently in high school? I ask because you don't sound too kowledgable in this area or you are fooling us. I am sorry to be so blunt, but sometimes people come ontop boards and ask questios. When they do so, it is pretty clear that they are not truly representing who they are. :imbar

bambi147 · Dec 6, 2004

It is BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) NOT BSM. May I ask where you are from? Are you presently in high school? I ask because you don't sound too kowledgable in this area or you are fooling us. I am sorry to be so blunt, but sometimes people come ontop boards and ask questios. When they do so, it is pretty clear that they are not truly representing who they are. :imbar

I am in highschool and I will be graduating this spring and I am attending college this fall. I want to be a maternity nurse but I just wasn't sure about the degrees I had to have. Does that clear your questions up?

bambi147 · Dec 6, 2004

NO---I believe you misunderstand. Let me try and clarify: there are 3 programs of study in the USA to get your RN:

diploma ---a hospital-based intensive 3 year program of study, these are getting rare to come by. Most are on the East Coast. VERY good programs, if you can find one.

ADN ---Associate's Degree in Nursing, you pursue this program at a community college ---traditionally called a 2 year program, because that is what the NURSING portion of it takes. You have to have a lot of prerequisite courses along with it, and likely you will take more like 3 or more years to get this degree. Roughy 60% of entry-level RN's have THIS degree, first.

BSN---Bachelors of Science in Nursing----earned after completion of a 4 year program of study at a 4 year university. You can also go there as an RN with an associate's or diploma degree to complete a BSN. It can take more than 4 years, if you are not loading up on classes each semester pretty heavily. Roughly 30-35% of entry-level RN's have this degree when they graduate to become an RN's.

What you chose is up to you. I don't believe one is "better" than the other....but if given a choice, I would go for a BSN. If you want to one day be a midwife and pursue a Certified Nurse Midwifery education, you will need a BSN first anyhow. Some universities offer online/non-traditional programs of study for BSN completion. Something to consider if you decide to pursue an ADN or Diploma first.

Also: if you already have a bachelor's degree or higher, some universities offer fast-track BSN and/or MSN (master's degree) programs. These are designed for those already holding degrees and are intensive, fast-paced nursing-coursework-centered programs.

Here is a website to help you find universities and colleges that have nursing programs of study/schools of nursing.

www.allnursingschools.com

You will want to narrow down what universities/colleges you want to look into and find out what classes to begin taking. Entry to nursing school is NOT a given and very, very competitive. Some places have 2 or more years' waiting lists just to APPLY, so you are wise to get your prerequisite courses (algebra, speech, history, government, english comp, anatomy/physiology, microbiology, etc) finished up FIRST. These are your NON-nursing "building- block classes".

You will need good grades in your pre-req classes and decent SAT or ACT scores to get into most programs, also---- so study, study, study! After graduating, you will need to take a national exam called the NCLEX to actually become licensed to practice as an RN.

Good luck. Let us know if you have more questions. And, welcome to the boards!

It's up to you. I hope this post helps clear things up for you regarding entry to Registered Nursing practice.

Thank you alot for clearing things up for me. I am most likely going to attend a community college for 2 years and then a University for 2 years. So do you think a BSN would be better? Also when I've been looking at the college courses most colleges offer, they usually only have RN listed, but since you said diploma, BSN, and ADN are all included to get your RN, does that mean they still offer the BSN?

SmilingBluEyes · Dec 6, 2004

"Thank you alot for clearing things up for me. I am most likely going to attend a community college for 2 years and then a University for 2 years. So do you think a BSN would be better? Also when I've been looking at the college courses most colleges offer, they usually only have RN listed, but since you said diploma, BSN, and ADN are all included to get your RN, does that mean they still offer the BSN?"

I am glad to help. I really think if you are to choose ---go straight for a BSN. No, they are not all included, ADN, BSN and Diploma are 3 separate and distinct programs. Like I said, go and check out the colleges or universities you are considering. Ask THEM what they offer and what it takes to gain entry into their programs. Like I said if certified nurse midwifery study is YOUR goal, a BSN makes the most sense. Get the pre-requisite, pre-nursing courses done at the community college and then go for the BSN at university. It will save you the most money in the long run. Just be darn sure all classes you take at the CC WILL transfer to the university you plan to attend. GOOD LUCK!

webblarsk · Dec 7, 2004

It is BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) NOT BSM. May I ask where you are from? Are you presently in high school? I ask because you don't sound too kowledgable in this area or you are fooling us. I am sorry to be so blunt, but sometimes people come ontop boards and ask questios. When they do so, it is pretty clear that they are not truly representing who they are. :imbar

My goodness. I think she was just coming here to get information and didn't misrepresent herself at all. Thanks to the people kind enough to help without being hateful.

ayndim · Dec 7, 2004

Thank you alot for clearing things up for me. I am most likely going to attend a community college for 2 years and then a University for 2 years. So do you think a BSN would be better? Also when I've been looking at the college courses most colleges offer, they usually only have RN listed, but since you said diploma, BSN, and ADN are all included to get your RN, does that mean they still offer the BSN?

If you are young and without children I would say go straight for the BSN. But it will depend on you situation. For me, we are paying out of pocket, my state university seems to be more competitive than med school, and the community colleges offer the most flexible schedule for a mom of 3 young kids.

I do think it is a good idea to do the prereqs at the cc. Much cheaper. You should look around at the schools in your area. Sometimes the cc's are more competitive than the university for the nursing portion.

Good luck and don't hesitate to ask more questions if you need to.

BETSRN · Dec 8, 2004

The community college option (with the plan to go for the BSN after), is a great choice for many people. During the 2 years at CC, you do all the pre-req's and become an RN in the process (you also have an Associate's Degree). Then AFTER you are an RN, you work as a nurse and usually the hospital that employs you will probably pay for the rest of your courses toward your BSN. Also, because nurses are in such high demand, after you have your BSN, many hospitals that hire you will pay back ALL your nursing school loans (as long as you promise them to work there for the designated amount of time). That's a great option, not to mention a $ saver. I do think in the long run and at your age, it is good for you to ultimately have your BSN. If you don't (or have a non-nursing Bachelor's as I do) it is much more difficult to get into a master's program, not to mention there are extra "hoops" to jump through to be qualified. Much good luck.

Krojas21 · Dec 9, 2004

Thank you alot for clearing things up for me. I am most likely going to attend a community college for 2 years and then a University for 2 years. So do you think a BSN would be better? Also when I've been looking at the college courses most colleges offer, they usually only have RN listed, but since you said diploma, BSN, and ADN are all included to get your RN, does that mean they still offer the BSN?

does that mean they still offer the BSN?

I don't think she understands that RN (registered nurse) is a license that you get from the state you live in after you finish school. How you finish school doesn't matter (it can be community college, university or a diploma program offered by some hospital) all will give you the RN license if you pass the state boards. Community colleges don't offer BSN degrees, only universities. Community colleges offer only ADN degrees.

The order of degrees is:

Diploma (not a degree)-hospital based(varies how long)...will give RN

ADN (associates degree in Nursing)-community college(2 year)...will give RN

BSN (bachelors of science in Nursing)- university (4year)...Will give RN

MSN (masters of science in Nursing) -university(after BSN varies about 2+ years), need bachelors 1st, can get you to be a certified nurse midwife (CNM) or nurse practitioner

Does that help? I remember when I graduated I couldn't understand the degree system either. It took me a while to figure it out, so I can relate.