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Discussion

Midwifery 101

Hello, y'all!

Recently, as in the past day, I'v been thinking of the possibilities of becoming a Nurse-Midewife. However, I just wanted to receive a few more insider information to what this future education might entail. I have one more semester of prerequisites for the BSN program, which I hope to be accepted next year(wishful thinking!;)). Needless to say, I'm no where near being ready to apply to a midwifery program, but, I just wanted to know how to appropriately plan!

I would love to know the different educational routes that lead to the Midwifery degree. Do some programs only accept applicants with Masters in Nursing(e.i. Family Nurse Practitioner)? Should I gather experience as a Doula first before I apply, or should my future RN degree be secure enough to offer recognition to the program? How difficult are the classes? What should I look for in a program? And importantly, how can I prepare now? Should I have experience as a nurse and then venture off for Midwifery school? Also, are there any good, recommended resources such as, webpages, books, DVDs, that could encourage my understanding for a future in CNM. (Sorry that these questions are a little unorganized, they just starting rolling out as I began typing! ;)

Of course, I'll need to do more(major) research on this matter and talk to advisors, but I wanted to hear the basics from the experienced Midwifes here.

I would be ever so grateful if y'all could direct me through the best path to become a Midwife.

Thank you!

Stacie

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    To my knowledge, all nurse-midwife programs ARE masters programs (or, at least most of them are). So after the BSN you'd go into a MSN program at a school that has nurse-midwifery as one of its options.

    Here's a list of programs: http://www.midwife.org/Education-Programs-Directory

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    • Author

    Thanks, I appreciate your input! :) After more "research sessions" with my friend Google, I seemed to grasp more knowledge than I had before on this subject, so least that's a start.

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    Lots of programs, but not all, require 1 year experience working as an RN before entering into the program. Some schools offer an MSN in Midwifery, while others offer a Masters of Science in Midwifery. Many schools offer an online option, but you are responsible for finding a preceptor. Some popular online programs include Frontier Nursing University - Distance Education from the Birthplace of Nurse-Midwifery and Family Nursing in America which offers a direct entry to DNP (terminal degree), Certified Nurse Midwifery - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Program | Nursing@Georgetown which offers an MSN but if VERY expensive, Philadelphia University | Midwifery About the Programs which offers an MS in Midwifery. There are others, of course, and there are always brick and mortar schools. I'm not sure where in the south you are located, but Emory Nurse-Midwifery in Atlanta has a great program, as well as Eastern Carolina U.College of Nursing - Page, although this is an online program, I was in contact with them and apparently they only accept students from NC.

    Good luck on your search!

    I will be beginning a nursing program in the fall and plan on attending Frontier afterwards. :)

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    • Author

    Thanks so much for all of your information...It was definitely food for my thoughts!

    I'm thinking I'll head down the Old Dominion University direction, since I live in VA. Apparently, Shenandoah and ODU work together with their Midwifery program. One year would be with ODU, then the next with Shenandoah. They both seem to offer a great education, from what I can gather.

    Congratulations on getting started on your nursing school experiences!! I hope nursing school treats you well! :)

    Thanks again for sharing all of your knowledge on this subject with me!

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    That program is awesome! I have heard that the students there get to go to Ina May's farm :) If I lived in Va that is EXACTLY where I would be going! Keep us posted on your progress :)

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    • Author

    No, way!!! :) :)

    Okay, I just did some minor research on SU's website, and it seems to me that they only offered the visit at the farm as a preliminary activity(if that makes any sense.) So, I am not sure if it will be offered when I get there?? I hope so!!!! In either way, the possibility of going is very exciting!!

    The Farm: Perspectives in Midwifery and Primary Care » Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing

    Thank you so much for your interest! If I can figure out how to do updates, than I'll certainly do it. However, I would love to hear your progress as well...it would be a great motivator!!!

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