fertile_myrtle

Judy! Thank you for your encouragement. :) My little one needs to nurse now, but I'll be back later with a few questions.

Teehee! Mostly I go by Myrtle.

Thank you Bree. That's how I got through my ADN program. I had the three oldest and was pregnant with my fourth at the end. Everyone thought I was crazy, but I just prioritized, scheduled, and didn't waste time doing things like cooking, cleaning, or having fun with my friends. Really. It was not that bad. We've been homeschooling until now, but in February my 8, 7, and 3 year old will begin an all day Montessori school. My 12 year old will still homeschool and the baby still breastfeeds constantly. I think it will be better with the Montessori program. XOXO Thank you. Ellen

I am starting Frontier's Bridge (CNEP) program this April (Frontier Bound is in Feb!!) and this has been my dream for a very long time. I am very excited, but now the self doubt and negative self talk creeps in now and again. I am married, work part time, and we have five kids. They are pretty young still (12y, 8y, 7y, 3y, 1y). I would love to meet another CNM, or even a student, that has a younger or larger family like mine. Thanks... Ellen

I am so passionate about midwifery and homebirth. I remember after assisting at my first homebirth I told my husband that I would do it for the rest of my life for free. I know that sounds ridiculous. I mean... we have five kids and a mortgage and dentist bills... so I can't really work for free. I guess, for me... it's just not about the money. I know a friend of mine that is a CNM is so discouraged about her income right now she is considering not doing anymore OB and just sticking with Gyne. That makes me sad. And worried. A little.

no no no... I think you just get "extra" points if you have experience in those units. I wish I would have asked more questions, but you know... my preschooler was begging for milk, The Backyardigan's was playing in the background, my heart was a little racey... LOL... My interviewer was very nice and very down to Earth. xoxo

Yes, I believe that is what she meant. My head was spinning at that point... so... Yes, I am feeling REALLY positive still... even if it isn't going to happen in Feb... it IS going to happen. xoxo

I feel the interview went well and she actually told me so. She siad the review process goes by a "point system" which awards points for: GPA, neatness of file, experience, veteran status, ER/ICU experience, and the phone interview. She told me I'd get high points for the interview. I am sad though. She told me the Feb Bridge class was full. I asked if there were a waiting list and she said there was one. I am on the waiting list. You never know... there may be so many defer that I'll get in. But I don't think I will. I have to wait until Dec. 1 to find out for sure. She said that if I don't get in to the Feb. Bridge that the next one is June and classes start in July. I got the feeling that I'm pretty much "in" but just not for Feb. I am trying not to be disappointed. I just have to wait a little longer. For whatever reason, I'm just going to have to wait. Everything, EVERYTHING, happens for a reason. Still though, disappointed.

We have five children and I work PT. I am anticipating SOME financial aid, but will be relying mostly on loans and scholarships.

I am pretty sure I'll have to keep some PT hours at work while I am in school. Other Frontier alumni have assured me that this is possible, with proper discipline. I am still nervous about it though. I'd like to just be able to work per diem.

Thanks everyone. The support is wonderful.

Thanks, andy! I have pretty good band memories too... never went to camp though. I'll update. My phone interview is Monday! Days away now! I am really excited.

I am an RN that assists in homebirths in my area. I do not assist in a "doula" role though. I am a birth assistant for the attending CNM. Feel free to PM me anytime.

Oh I am very excited for your Frontier Bound! You must post and update how it goes...

Now I'm just rambling... but I also want to add that there is a difference between pain and suffering. I think it is possible for a woman to feel pain during contx or during labor, but she may not be suffering. It is pain with a purpose and that is a world of difference for some folks.

When I am charting my pain assesment I use a "nurses note" and describe what is occuring for labor/pain management. In my notes I can use those words... but not to my patient. Women need to be reminded that birth is normal. I make it one of my priorities to reinforce that.

Well, I guess when I am interacting with my patients, I don't find the need to actually say the word "contraction." When I am talking with them, I make sure to tell them that every sensation she is feeling is normal and good. I tell her that her body is doing the job it was perfectly designed to do. I tell her to release her face, her neck, her shoulders,... all the way down to her fingers... release her muscles to be open and loose.... relax her mouth. I rarely (I'd like to say never) find it necessary to use the word contraction while I am managing a labor patient. Things are different with an induction of course or with a PTL. This is just me... I'm one of those "different" nurses...

I am a L&D nurse in my local, rural, community hospital. We have no birth centers. I also assist a CNM that has her own homebirth practice. I went into nursing as a stepping stone to midwifery, and since the homebirth of my child(ren) I have always known that THAT is where I want to catch babies. I can say that the hospital births I attend can be very draining on me. But all I need is one or two homebirths and my soul is renewed. I grin from ear to ear for hours and nearly everytime I come home from a homebirth I tell my husband, "This is what I am meant to be doing." It feels right. I've never had someting feel this right. Even in the hospital setting... when the labor may be making some turns in a direction that is concerning... it feels like I am in the right place and for the right reasons.

Hello? Please, FSMFN students... I know you are out there! I really hope to get in to Class 65 (Feb 2009) and would like to connect with someone that has gone to Frontier Bound recently so as to know what to expect. This is all I've ever wanted and I only want to do it at Frontier. Anyone out there?

I rarely use negative words during a labor. I NEVER use the word pain. I don't even like the word "contraction" really.

1mg q hour IVP we also do 5/5 of Nubain. another practioner has a fondness for a vistaril/phenergan cocktail.

I have applied to Frontier's Bridge program (for the Feb 2009 session) and I am now just waiting for my phone interview. Suggestions? I feel the need for a little pep talk... I am very excited to (finally) be able to continue my education. I went into nursing as a step toward my ultimate goal of midwifery. Is anyone currently enrolled in this program or in their MSN program? This will be my first experience at "distance" learning.

I have applied to Frontier's Bridge program (for the Feb 2009 session) and I am now just waiting for my phone interview. Suggestions? I feel the need for a little pep talk... I am very excited to (finally) be able to continue my education. I went into nursing as a step toward my ultimate goal of midwifery. I am glad I found this site; however, it is very large! If there is a board that might be more specific to midwifery or Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing... please let me know and I'll jump over there. Also, is anyone currently enrolled in this program or in their MSN program? This will be my first experience at "distance" learning.