MEPN/CNM + Starting family?

Published

Hello community,

I've been seriously looking into the UCSF/CNM program and unsure of whether I should apply this summer (and cram in several pre-reqs, and begin doula training) or be patient and apply next summer, by which time I will have had more background and experience with the birth community.

Especially for those who have applied or are looking at UCSF's program (I did go to the info session but there wasn't much in depth info for specific tracks) I'd love to hear more:

- how much birth experience did you have beforehand? It sounds like there are seasoned birth workers, doulas, birth educators etc and while I don't want to psych myself out of applying, I do want to be realistic of how much birth experience is expected coming in. I have spent the past 7 years working in education, sustainable foods and ecology w/the underserved so while my philosophy is aligned, it really is a new career path. I would gather more experience in the 9 months prior to the program start if accepted, but perhaps more is expected before even applying.

- have any MEPN folks started families while in the program? I would be 31 starting the program and I know this is in the back of my mind, wondering how to fully embrace a new career path, take on debt, and still have a desire to have children before I'm 40. MEPN are notoriously intense. I know people make it work, but hearing tips from others would be fantastic.

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey,

I graduated from the UCSF Mepn/CNM program and can provide my opinion based on my own experience.

1) I had very little birth experience, but I did have international maternal health research experience, so it is possible to get in with few births under your belt. That being said, it is worth your while to get more birth experience, especially in a hospital environment, if you can (as a doula?). I only say this because that would best reflect the type of training you would receive as a CNM student at UCSF. I had very little understanding of how the typical hospital L&D unit works, and I think my idea of the role of the midwife was a little rosier than it should have been. I think more exposure definitely has its benefits, but I understand the pressure of wanting to start a family.

2) MEPN is so intense and midwifery school is even more so. If you can avoid it, I would not have a baby in the middle of all of that. It's just too much. I did get pregnant at the end of midwifery school & gave birth 6 months after graduation. The truth is that your first job as a new grad CNM has a learning curve just as steep as being in school. I wanted to enjoy my son's infancy and decided not to immediately take on the advanced practice role. It's been 2 years since I graduated and I am finally starting my first job. The timing feels right. I would avoid having a baby before or during school. You'd probably end up feeling like either your schooling or your family were short changed. It's so hard to juggle school, job, family... but it does somehow work out.

Good luck, and let me know if you have any other questions!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Belated thanks for your insights, Karotte. It's really helpful to hear how other folks have made their decisions - there's many different rights and no clear wrongs in this case, just timing.

I'd also like to ask - since you took about 2 years between birthing and starting work, did you find that presented a challenge for any reason in how they read your application? (I know they shouldn't discriminate based on parenting and such but wondered if that came up).

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I can't speak to CNM, since I did an FNP MEPN program. I had my first child 3 months after graduation, at age 35. It just wasn't practical to wait a lot longer to get a year of work under my belt. I wouldn't really advise to follow in my career path either: started work as an ER RN 2 months after he was born, then didn't start my first NP job for another 1 1/2 years after that. My plan had been to work in a 0.6FTE RN position, since I wasn't seeing a lot of part time NP jobs for new grads. Then my husband got laid off so I had to pick up a full time RN shift anyway. In retrospect I should have skipped the whole RN thing and just found a suitable NP position. But hindsight is 20/20, right?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Karotte - did you work at all in the time between when you graduated and when you started your first job? I'm in the same boat, age 30 - starting the prereqs and wondering about how to balance starting a family and work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Azuzara - Would love to hear any wisdom you've gleaned!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment