Path to CNM

[strawberrycupcakes]

Hello again, allnurses lovelies!

I'm sorry for starting a new topic, I'm new here, and I don't know if that's considered rude or not. I made a thread a few days ago about maybe becoming a CNM, and it's the first thing I've ever felt called to. I tried researching it on my own, but it just made my head spin. If you could explain it to me in simplest terms (like a ten year old, lol) that would be great. So here's my situation.

(You can probably skip this,I'm not sure if it's relevant, but including in case) I'm a 17 year old (18 before the January 2017 semester) and I hope to become a CNM. I had very good grades in high school until circumstances caused me to drop out halfway through my junior year. I begin classes next week, and will take my ACT and GED test (it's basically a diploma equivalent for everyone not in America), but beyond that I have no idea what I'll do education wise.

I've heard about becoming an RN before working as an RN for a total of 4 years degree (I would love to do an accelerated program, if it's acceptable to midwife programs) and experience before going to a new place for specific CNM training.

Ah yes- my questions.

1. Are 2 year apprentice programs acceptable to CNM training programs?

2. When you have your RN degree, is it acceptable to work around L&D wards with it? Is a labor and delivery nurse an RN degree?

3. What is getting an RN degree like? Is it classwork, is it doing RN things, or is it just very general health & science type education?

4. Are there any RN programs that have a midwifery/ L&D focus?

If there's something I'm forgetting, I'll add it here. Thanks and have a nice day, loves!

[strawberrycupcakes]

rd62-

I'm actually taking community college classes right now, and that was actually my plan haha (great minds...) I was actually thinking of becoming a doula, at least temporarily, to make sure that this field is what I want to do. Thanks for all of your advice!

[Rachanee]

Thanks for such a quick reply! Do you know if many students were accepted without prior experience in L&D? I just started working on a med-surg/tele floor as I couldn't land a position in mother baby or L&D being that I was fresh out of an ADN program. How is the online format? Several assignments due weekly, videos? And how helpful is the program in assisting you find a suitable location for clinical? I live in Florida so a major factor is knowing whether the farther the hometown the more difficult it is or more problems one may come across..if you haven't experienced that first hand have you heard of anyone that has?

My cohorts and I all had L&D or maternal/child experience. This is not a requirement however. If you have a strong gpa, essay, and references I believe that will help. The online format varies class to class. There are many papers, weekly discussion boards, online presentations, quizzes, etc. There are also several on campus requirements. I am in Florida as well and am doing my clinicals with a midwifery group I work with. Shenandoah will help find a clinical site if you have difficulties securing one a year prior to you beginning clinical. I have not heard of anyone having extreme difficulties thus far. I am very pleased with GWU/Shenadoah so far.

[DreamerMW]

My cohorts and I all had L&D or maternal/child experience. This is not a requirement however. If you have a strong gpa, essay, and references I believe that will help. The online format varies class to class. There are many papers, weekly discussion boards, online presentations, quizzes, etc. There are also several on campus requirements. I am in Florida as well and am doing my clinicals with a midwifery group I work with. Shenandoah will help find a clinical site if you have difficulties securing one a year prior to you beginning clinical. I have not heard of anyone having extreme difficulties thus far. I am very pleased with GWU/Shenadoah so far.

Just curious... I always hear about the various essays and papers in midwifery programs. Are those papers on fluffy policy stuff or actual clinical problems like case studies, etc?

[AspiringNurseMW]

Here is my timeline/plan:

*I spent 1 year doing prerequisites for an Associates degree program at my local community college. I applied for and was accepted.

*I am currently in my 2nd semester out of 4th to complete my ADN degree.

*when I graduate, the school I plan on going to for CNM requires a year experience as an RN in any department (this will vary by school). So I plan to complete my RN to BSN online during that year.

*I plan to get my master's part time, which should be 3 years. Frontier University, where I plan to go, is mainly a distance program (online) with a handful of sessions physically on campus maybe once a year. The clinicals for CNM are local, and I have to secure them.

Now this pathway works for me because I'm 28 with 2 kids, and this way greatly reduces my debt. If I had no kids, I'm pretty sure I would have done things differently.

[LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM]

Just curious... I always hear about the various essays and papers in midwifery programs. Are those papers on fluffy policy stuff or actual clinical problems like case studies, etc?

For my midwifery program, mostly clinical problems. The "fluffy" stuff was done during the pre-reqs, like Issues and Trends, Nursing Theory, etc.

[LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM]

Here is my timeline/plan:

*I spent 1 year doing prerequisites for an Associates degree program at my local community college. I applied for and was accepted.

*I am currently in my 2nd semester out of 4th to complete my ADN degree.

*when I graduate, the school I plan on going to for CNM requires a year experience as an RN in any department (this will vary by school). So I plan to complete my RN to BSN online during that year.

*I plan to get my master's part time, which should be 3 years. Frontier University, where I plan to go, is mainly a distance program (online) with a handful of sessions physically on campus maybe once a year. The clinicals for CNM are local, and I have to secure them.

Now this pathway works for me because I'm 28 with 2 kids, and this way greatly reduces my debt. If I had no kids, I'm pretty sure I would have done things differently.

Don't be surprised, or too hard on yourself, if that year of experience, then going straight through the master's program doesn't quite happen that fast. I was in my mid-20s, with no kids, with a similar plan (had a traditional bachelor's, but otherwise the same basic timeline as you) and I ended up taking a year off before clinicals started because I was just so overwhelmed. Midwifery school is pretty rigorous, mentally, physically, and emotionally, and it's OK to take breaks. You may also find yourself pleasantly surprised at how much you enjoy just working as a nurse! Do what is best for you and your family, and even if it takes a little longer than planned, you'll have plenty of time.

[DreamerMW]

For my midwifery program, mostly clinical problems. The "fluffy" stuff was done during the pre-reqs, like Issues and Trends, Nursing Theory, etc.

Thanks for replying!

[AspiringNurseMW]

Don't be surprised, or too hard on yourself, if that year of experience, then going straight through the master's program doesn't quite happen that fast. I was in my mid-20s, with no kids, with a similar plan (had a traditional bachelor's, but otherwise the same basic timeline as you) and I ended up taking a year off before clinicals started because I was just so overwhelmed. Midwifery school is pretty rigorous, mentally, physically, and emotionally, and it's OK to take breaks. You may also find yourself pleasantly surprised at how much you enjoy just working as a nurse! Do what is best for you and your family, and even if it takes a little longer than planned, you'll have plenty of time.

Absolutely 100% with you there. I've given myself permission to like working L&D. In fact, I'm quite hesitant to go straight through with school. I wouldn't mind taking a year or 2 off from the work/school combo after my BSN. Whenever I speak of completing school, I always say it's 5-10 year plan.