how much experience needed to be CNM?

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Hello Everyone! Im new here and so far very thankful to have stumbled upon this site! Anyway, I have 2 years of experience in a busy MICU. For years though, my desire has been to become a midwife- and Ive decided that now is the time. I was told though by an admissions counselor that I would be accepted to the program but that it wasnt a smart idea to pursue midwifery without experience as an L&D RN. Because of my MICU experience I have great assessment skills. critical thinking, reaction time etc- but no time on L&D. I also thought that there were people who went into direct entry programs and end up ok. Can someone give me some feedback please? :confused:

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

UCSF, one of the biggest research hospitals dose not require any experience...but if some one has experience and is apply with you they might have a better chance. Frontier School of Nurse Midwifery only requires 6 months experience in L&D. Each school is different.(of course all schools require you have your BSN first) Check them out, they usually this this in their most frequently asked questions section.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Thanks HeartsOpenWide. The school was saying they would let me in- but that it wasnt a good personal decision to go into midwifery with only my ICU experience. Thoughts everyone?

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Specializes in OB.

I'm currently finishing up my BSN at NYU, with the eventual goal of becoming a CNM. The head of the midwifery program at NYU and I discussed your very question, about L&D experience versus other nursing experience, and she actually recommends NOT being an L&D nurse before becoming a midwife. Her reasoning is that L&D nurses, for the most part, are trained to accept the medical model of childbirth and are constantly on the defensive, worried that something will go wrong. The midwifery model of care certainly takes risks into account and upholds the utmost safety measures, but knows that true obstetric emergencies are extremely rare, and for the most part, birth can occur naturally. Therefore, being an L&D nurse and then a CNM can be a difficult transition. So, if you're interested in going to NYU, they're definitely open to non L&D nurses, as are many other schools, you just have to do a little digging.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

You don't know how glad I was to read your words... I went to NYU for my BSN too! What you were told was actually the reasoning that I had in my head- the same reasoning that was recently shot down! I guess its a matter of opinion. Thanks again!

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Personally I would agree with the not wanting to become too exposed to the medical side of OB by working L&D, but the reality is that some employers will not hire you if you have not worked Labor and Delivery as a nurse. Just something to keep in mind.

My impression is that the East Coast has a better job outlook than other parts of the country as far as having maybe more jobs than midwives, so maybe there it is easier for someone without L&D experience to be hired there (I do not live on the East Coast). But I know some jobs and employers that specifically require L&D nursing experience, and some new grads who have had difficulty being hired without having L&D experience.

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Specializes in Rural Health.

Just for clarification purposes, Frontier does not require you to have any L&D experience before starting any of their progams. They strongly recommend it, but it is not required. You do need at least 1 full year of experience as an RN though before you can apply. Here is a direct link to FSMFN admission webpage.... http://www.midwives.org/admissions.asp. Frontier also has a ADN bridge program so you are not required to have your BSN prior to applying. Also, if you are like me...and if you hold a previous B.S. degree, you can apply directly to the MSN program w/o completing the bridge portion. LOTS of options as far as schools are concerned.

From my standpoint, CNM's shouldn't have to be L&D nurses ever. They are not the same. Too much exposure, regardless of the person's intention can eventually leave a person jaded. However, most facilities frown upon the lack of at least "some" experience in L&D.

Good luck in whatever you decide!!!!

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Specializes in L&D, postpartum.

I agree with everyone that when you are an L&D nurse you do learn a lot about intervention. I am currently an RN on L&D/postpartum (for about a year) and I am starting a midwifery program in September. It was recommended to have a year of experience for the program at Columbia. Personally I think it is helpful to have a little bit of experience to learn how things work, how to use certain equipment and do certain procedures (like lady partsl exams, etc). I think experience or not, a person can be an excellent midwife. Afterall, most midwives now are coming from direct entry programs, never having been an RN. Good luck to you!

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I went in to midwifery with 10yrs nursing experience no L&D ( we do not have L&D nurses in the UK you have to bea midwife to work in Obs) practised midwifery for 10yrs and now find my self as a nurse in L&D-madness or what anyway back to the question IMO if midwifery is your true calling it really does not matter were you work each will have its pros and negs- what matter is that you belive in nature ,nurcha, woman, family and that you have patients and trust.

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Specializes in L&D, QI, Public Health.

I would think working in the Antepartum unit would be preferable over working in an L and D department.

What do you guys think?

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