SuperMujer2373

Thanks so much for your response! I found a local class for the intermediate course because I have decided to start with that level. The class here is $140 without the book and $250 with the book, but I found a 4th edition book on ebay for $70. How do I know if that is the current level AND the book for the intermediate course? I assume the book for intermediate and advanced level are different. I was thinking of getting the book early and studying because I may not be able to attend the actual class until later in the summer. I was hoping to attend the class before my maternity leave but with the class offerings in my area that may not be possible. Do you think studying BEFORE attending the intermediate class would be a good idea? Another question. After you take the intermediate course what do you do? Do you take an online test like NCC? Or is simply taking the course proof of mastery? I read the flow diagram on the AWHONN website but it still didn't make much sense to me if there is a test or not. Apparently our unit education director doesn't "like" AWHONN or something like that which is why we are encouraged towards NCC and they give us an in-house education class in preparation for it. I was really baffled because all of the other hospitals in our area require AWHONN. Whatever the reasons I would just like to cover myself with the most comprehensive education I can obtain to be effective at my job and developing my career. It would seem that the reasons for decels etc etc would be the same anyway whether you prep for AWHONN or NCC so I am not sure why there is even division between the two. I think I understand what you are saying in that NCC gives a certification where AWHONN is just education (with a post-test)? Again I appreciate your help!

Hi, I am looking into Fetal Monitoring Certification through AWHONN. I have a co-worker who skipped Intermediate and went straight to Advanced by just studying on her own. She has more years of experience than I do, but I am wondering if this that is an advisable idea to save money and time. I have been on the L&D floor for a year. My hospital does not require AWHONN certification, but I was considering getting it for personal growth and in case I need to go to another hospital. My hospital does recognize NCC fetal monitoring certification. Has any one completed both and noticed any major differences in the information? My hospital will reimburse for the NCC exam but not AHWHONN so I am heavily considering just doing both. I am not sure if studying for one or the other has any advantages or if they are just basically the same. Thanks!

Hey FavoRED1, Shoot me and email at [email protected] I will also be starting there in a couple of weeks and thought we could try to piece together some information. Thanks and congrats!! :w00t:

Emory's program is opening in November for their new grad program that starts work in March. I would look on their website to get further information, but you are going to need to get a GA license before you can start working. I would look into starting the GA licensing process if you are truly interested in working here, but yes it may be easier to get a year or two experience first if you can't get into a new grad program. Good luck!

Perhaps you should do a cost analysis of the difference between the additional money you could bring in at a bigger hospital and the principal plus interest you would have to pay back for your schooling. You can always take small trips to liven up your life a bit but if you tuition was considerable then it may be worth it to stick around at least for two years (half of your debt to them). Once you get your master's there are a number of programs you can try to get tuition reimbursement for your costs that are government run. I don't know of any specific hospitals that have that type of program in Atlanta.

I am sorry to hear that you are having so much difficulty. Have you tried working with a recruiter to find positions or looking for non-hospital nursing positions?

Hello All, I am looking for some advice in regards to picking a school for my FNM/CNM degree. I entered Emory's direct entry program last August for second degree students. I will be awarded my BSN in August and sit for the NCLEX in September. I do not have any working experience as an RN yet and hope to land a job in the fall in L&D or as close to the impregnated uterus as I can get My dilemma is that while I am already accepted into the Emory FNM (Family Nurse- Midwife) program I unfortunately will not be able to pay to attend full time. Since I already have a Master's in Public Health and an undergrad degree (soon to be two) I am about two semesters worth of Emory tuition away from the federal "loan cap" (and the program is 5 semesters). So I will have to work full time and go to school part time. While I am fine with that I am also looking into the option of applying to Frontier after I have the required RN experience. It seems that Frontier is equally ranked with Emory but the tuition is far cheaper! It also seems that I would be able to do FNP and CNM at Frontier. While I have no interest in working with kids, I do want to do woman's health. I am wondering if anyone has any words of wisdom in regards to the reputation of Frontier. I have never attended an online program before and am afraid of feeling isolated and not being self-motivated enough to be engaged in an online program. I also am wondering if Frontier graduates are as respected as students who have graduated from other "traditional" schools. While I have a long track record for attending top tier schools, I am starting to loose faith in the branding that the fancy name and the high tuition costs that come along with it. I am already close to 130K worth of student loan debt from all my schooling thus far. I am getting married soon and will be expanding my family within the next year-ish, so I have a lot of other background factors going on that are making me seriously pause before I invest in another 100k worth of schooling (the total FNM program tuition cost at Emory) when I will have colleges standing next to me that do the same job and do it as well as I do but have half the debt!! Maybe it sounds like a no-brainer when talking about the money but I am afraid of walking away from Emory and going to Frontier and not being equally respected and marketable among my peers. And also having to face the quarks of Frontier and having to find my own preceptors... Any helpful suggestions or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. I am feeling so torn and heartbroken about what to do and it is causing me tons of stress on top of what I am already dealing with finishing up my accelerated program Don't get me wrong I think the Emory program would be a great experience, if the tuition were the same I would prob have no quandary about staying where I am. Thanks!

After reading this thread I am very afraid I entering the nursing field. Part of the reason I wanted to go into nursing was because of decent pay and job security. (This of course is outside of all the mushy "I wanna help women deliver babies" stuff). I have a young son and am about to enroll BACK into college to get a second degree in nursing. Is the pay really not up to par with living expenses etc? OR should I be looking further than just an RN into an MSN to get a decent check for the work I am going to have to do? :sofahider