byrd262

I personally know 2 midwives in Houston who work in a hospital. UT is always hiring, they usually have a table at the annual ACNM meetings where they recruit.

I think your biggest hurdle is your GPA. That SHOULD be your focus now. It's not reasonable to bank on getting a 3.8, no one can guarantee that--life happens and some classes are going to be challenging no matter what your major is. You should consider spending an extra 2 semesters (or so) or summer semesters (you can take 2 classes in the AM and work in the afternoon) taking easy electives to boost your GPA. Or retake the classes you failed if you can apply them to your new major. I'm assuming your first year you were taking English, Math, etc. Don't you have to retake those anyway? GPAs are all about numbers. Do you know why you didn't do well? Were you sick? Dealing with family issues? Whatever it was, you have to make sure it's resolved. Do NOT focus on becoming a doula or anything that may derail you from getting into nursing school.

There are jobs, but it really depends if you are limited to a certain area. Clearly, if you are willing to relocate, you have more options. If you are searching for jobs on Monster or CareerBuilder, then you are not getting a representation of what is out there for CNMs. The best sites are the ACNM job posting board and Indeed. Then, there is word of mouth when you are in the midwifery/birth community (i.e. affiliate meetings, conferences, school faculty, preceptors, etc.). Any other qualifications do make you more marketable, BUT you have to make sure you are going to be adequately compensated for doing both roles in the same job and that you are going to be able to practice enough to maintain your licenses. The benefit can be if you need/want to work part-time or per diem to make extra money. The reality though is if you are working in a busy "midwifery practice" full-time, then you won't have time to practice in another role (PNP/FNP) unless you work in a health center/clinic where different specialities work in the same office space. The best advice I can give you is to talk to people, don't limit yourself. I went into nursing knowing I wanted to be a midwife, but some people find out that they have interests in other areas. So, keep an open mind and take it one step at a time.

Phila U seems like a strong program from what I know of the curriculum. But, I have heard of students having set backs with their progression through the program. A good question to ask faculty would be about their retention rate (after the start of clinicals). Ask a lot of questions about their grading requirements and what happens if a student is not successful either in clinical or theory. Find out "why" students may not complete the program in a timely manner. Overall, I get a sense that there are a lot of politics there and that the faculty are not actively involved with helping students who are not meeting certain expectations. This just was not the case in my program. So I found it really disheartening to hear (from a few people). My comments come from meeting students at the last 2 ACNM conferences, having 1 good friend in the program, and a few acquaintances that I have met at the ACNM conferences. Clearly, these are isolated cases, but I believe in having all the info when making timely and costly decisions. If anything, you learn what not to do. Good luck with your journey. It's hard but it will be so worth it no matter where you go.

I know a handful of Phila U students-- based on what I have heard, I do NOT recommend PhilaU. I've heard great things about Frontier, but don't know anyone personally. With both programs though, you have to find your own clinical sites. If the site ever falls through, you can be in a real bind that can curtail your graduation date. This can happen in any program, but you have more protection if your program takes care of this because they can advocate for you. If you plan on working as a nurse while in grad program, consider BSN as many hospitals are requiring it for new hires. If this is not the case in your area, I would not worry about it. However, things change FAST in healthcare.

I agree that it really depends on where you are located. But I have noticed a lot more "office only" CNM positions lately (nationally). There are practices that are following patient demand for midwifery care. So, they are hiring CNMs. This also make doctors more available to do surgeries ($$$) and see high risk ($$) patients while the midwives take care of the low-risk patients.

It makes sense if the job you are going after is only looking for a WHNP for whatever reason (i.e. politics, malpractice insurance). This matters more in large institutions where the "job description" rules. If the requirement is WHNP, then a CNM-only applicant does not "qualify" for the job despite the same GYN education. Additionally, HR staff don't know the difference (or similarities).

Do an accelerated BSN then a MSN in Nurse-Midwifery.

3.47 is a solid and competitive GPA. I wouldn't worry about it. Just make sure the rest of the application is strong especially your essays.

You don't need L&D experience unless your program requires it. L&D experience does help but it's not essential. Any nursing experience will help but any inpatient experience is best. More importantly, you only have to work 3- 12 hour shifts a week to be full-time. Many units offer part-time once you have seniority which is great for when you start clinicals.

Less difficult + Less time consuming = BSN + MSN - ANY other route will take longer, cost more money and/or will limit where you can practice. - You don't have to have nursing experience to get into a MSN program. It depends on the school.

Queenanneslace listed great resources. I fully agree with infiltrating your local or beyond birthing community. It's a small community no matter where live. Go to a CNM conference (in DC next year) or a state affiliate meeting. The ACNM website has a contact list for the state leaders. Complete a doula training and get some birth experience during your summers off. If you can't travel, I would seek out midwives in your community and make an appointment as a new patient. That way you can see how that individual practices and see if you want to plant the seed of interest in the profession. I chose my provider because she graduated from the program I ultimately graduated from. Each year, during my visit, I updated her on my progress. A mentor does not have to be someone you speak to often. They may be able to give you some advice especially when it comes to the local CNM programs.

I work as a L&D nurse at a facility that delivers about 4,000 babies a year. As you can imagine, we have a very active unit with a strict visiting policy that causes tension time to time. All hospital visitors have to check in at the front security desk but they are "screened" ON THE UNIT by the unit secretary in terms of going into the labor room. The patient is limited to 3 support people until the baby is born. We don't have our own security desk/guard but the unit is locked. This leaves the unit secretary and RNs to field the visitors. I should mention that we only do L&D. Our nursery and postpartum (mother-baby) are on a different floor. We also allow visiting in the PACU after c-sections. What goes on at your hospital? Do you have your own unit security who deals with this? Can your patients have unlimited guests in the labor room? Do you allow visitors to switch off if there is a max? How do you account for the L&D visitors? Do they wear badges? Do your patients submit names to you of approved visitors? Thanks!

Graduated in May, a month later passed boards, returned to home state, asked a family friend who worked on postpartum unit for 30+ years to help me out. She solicited for me with my resume and business card starting with L&D nurse manager up to a CNO she knew. I emailed all (with their permission) my resume and cover letter. They all went directly to HR on my behalf. Days later I had an interview and was told the same day that they would be extending an offer. the next day they confirmed after reference check. It really was who I knew that got me in the door and then my resume and interviews that sealed the deal. The position wasn't listed externally. Networking starts at home with your family, next with friends, then friends of friends and so on. Older relatives/friends are good because they have probably been with the same employer for many years and they know everyone.

It only took me 2 weeks after mailing my application to receive my PA license in the mail. I applied by endorsement from the state of Maryland. It was the easiest application process. No fingerprints, no background check, no notarizing, no picture! It was just a 3-4 page application, a money order of about $100, and $30 Nursys verification. A walk in the park compared to some other states.