NHSC for CNMs?

Trauma Columnist · Oct 2, 2005

Okay, I have to ask what is "NHSC?" Thanks.

LizzyBennet · Oct 2, 2005

Sorry... National Health Service Corps. :)

LB

Trauma Columnist · Oct 2, 2005

Got it - thanks for the clarification.

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 2, 2005

Sorry... National Health Service Corps. :)
LB

Hello, LizzyBennet,:balloons:

So, you are wondering exactly what about this service? Sorry if I am a little slow. I know this serves the under priviledged.

LizzyBennet · Oct 2, 2005

It is my understanding that you have to be hired by one of their sites which meets a certain need criteria within a certain amount of time of graduating. I wanted to know if midwives had as difficult a time being hired as a new grad as that FNP seemed to.

LB

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 2, 2005

It is my understanding that you have to be hired by one of their sites which meets a certain need criteria within a certain amount of time of graduating. I wanted to know if midwives had as difficult a time being hired as a new grad as that FNP seemed to.
LB

I am not certain how/when one is hired for a position with them. Have you tried to go online and inquire?

http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/

LizzyBennet · Oct 3, 2005

Hi Siri,

Thanks for the info... however, I have done all of the research and inquiring and -on the surface- it seems like a great program... however, the FNP who posted mentioned that the listings for her field were out of date and it was EXTREMELY difficult to find a job at a site within the allotted period of time. What I was hoping to find out from any CNMs who read this forum that did the scholarship (if there are any!) was whether they found the same to be true for our field.

Thanks.

LB

dtwaa · Oct 4, 2005

From the former scholar- tealeafs, couldn't find my other password. I used to use this one until some psycho med student started harrassing me for daring to say anything bad about the NHSC. This would be my advice.

- looking at the NHSC list of opportunities, I see 19 positions at 17 locations for CNM's. Now if you absolutly don't care where you go, maybe this is fine. I would suggest you email or call those locations and find out if 1) they would consider a new grad and 2) if they already have someone in the position. Its complicated- but Loan Repayment (a great program) is mixed in with Scholar positions so if they have an employee in a position and that employee wants loan repayment, the clinic has to list the spot with the NHSC and it goes on the list. So it looks like an open spot, but it isn't.

- It looks like scholar opportunities go down to those with HPSA scores of 8. Thats promising if you need to find your own clinic as compared to trying to find a clinic at 13 or higher like FNP's.

- Given the popularity of loan repayement and the few number of NP's who take the scholarship, it wouldn't surprise me if you were the only CNM scholar.

- Good luck, hope this helps and that whatever path you take works for you.

LizzyBennet · Oct 14, 2005

Thanks so much for the info. :)

LB

CoryRN · Nov 5, 2005

Hi LizzyBennet,

I am a former scholar, FNP. I met many CNM NHSC scholars who didn't have a job 1 year plus after graduation. That was 2-3 years ago so maybe things have improved. If you are seriously considering the NHSC scholarship, please look into NHSC loan repayment and also the NELRP program. It is a loan repayment program for RNs with advanced education in rural or underserved areas.

I benefitted financially from the NHSC, but I wasn't happy with the program and would not do it again. I am in touch with many scholars, and every one of them feels the same. My last practice was a scholar mill, and every 2 years a scholar comes on board and quits 2 years later. And was miserable for the two years. I am sure there are scholars out there who have had good experiences, I just haven't met any.

Good luck to you.

Cory MS, FNP, RN, RRT

LizzyBennet · Nov 6, 2005

Hi Cory,

Thanks so much! This was exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

LB