Krshmt

Thanks for your replies! I'm making progress and will hopefully start assisting next month!!!

I have to respectfully disagree. The medical and midwifery approach to birth is very different and nursing generally follows the medical approach (although I have met nurses who also approach it more "miwiferyily")

Baby Catcher!!! the most inspirational (and biggest reality check) a future CNM can read. Good luck on Vanderbilt!

Wow I see myself one year ago in your shoes almost exactly (wedding instead of baby, but you get the jist). I graduated with my BSN last year. Honors, hospital experience prior to school, passed boards with flying colors, willing to work ANYWHERE... four months later I was applying to graduate school because I couldn't get a job to save my life!!!! In January I ended up moving across country to start graduate school in midwifery at NYU. I can't say I am sorry I came because I'm still looking for a job as a nurse and I graduated 11 months ago. At least I'm getting grad school out of the way now. On the topic related to experience: I know I may be biased, but I don't think you need rn experience to be a great midwife! Birth attendants from all walks of life provide excellent care for women during labor. In fact the American College of Nurse Midwives is debating whether or not to change it's name to the American College of Midwives because they recognize this fact. OB/GYNs didn't have to be PAs before they were physicians! Why should any form of advanced practice nursing be different? OK that's just my two cents. Your grades are amazing, but mine were comparable. I had the best references, connections at hospitals, etc. There is just no money to hire new grads right now, but I think things are beginning to look up. The best advice I can give is to get a student nurse position in a hospital. Although it doesn't guarantee a job, the only people I know who were able to find jobs after nursing school were those who had student nurse positions. If that is not possible, try to get a PCA/CNA position. Intern, extern, meet managers, etc. and if all else fails follow your dreams and go to Georgetown! (check out amazing scholarship opportunity... http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/scholarship/guidance/funding.htm there is also loan forgiveness info at... http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/) Talk to their program director and financial aid office. They may be able to get you lots of assistance. by the way, amazing birth center in DC always looking for volunteers...Family Health and Birth Center (http://www.developingfamilies.org/dcbc.html). I know where you're coming from. I have not yet set a wedding date, still no job, but I'm becoming the professional I've always dreamed of becoming and I do not regret it. My philosophy about babies is that you can never be prepared, but when you're ready, you're ready and everything else will just work itself out. I wish you all the best.

I'll send out my feelers and see if there is someone I can get you in contact with. Another option is to look up CNMs in your area on the ACNM website, contact them and see if there is someone you can shadow or talk with locally. I think a lot of CNMs actually start out as primarily baby catchers and as they get older, have families, want friendlier schedules they move to gyn care. It's actually a similar reason why there aren't as many ob/gyns catching babies anymore. I know there are a lot of job listings for CNMs to work in ob/gyn practices all over the country (midwifery is a growing profession :)). Your scope of practice with any given group would be defined by your job description they provide you. I assume that you could also look for WHNP jobs (of which there are also a lot) and depending on the practice's understanding of the scope of practice of midwives there would be no reason for them not to hire you. At any rate, I'm glad to see prospective CNMs interested in primary care. It is a misconception that midwives don't perform gyn care, but I believe that it is this primary PREVENTATIVE care that is most valuable to our patient's quality of life and rewarding to our practice. Good luck, keep in touch!

I am a student nurse midwife at NYU and at the completion of my program I will be eligible for both my CNM and WHNP licenses. why not keep your options open. You will attend births as a midwifery student and then you will know for sure if you still feel like it is imperative to be a mother prior to providing perinatal care. If that's the case, you will have the option when you are ready. Otherwise you may have to go back to school after you have a family which may not be possible. I know several CNMs who only work in gyn as it offers a great schedule. It's up to you!

I am a student nurse midwife in New York looking for an opportunity to shadow and possibly assist a CNM in the tri-state area. I am an RN with my ACLS and NRP certifications. I am hoping to make professional connections in the area since I recently moved here from the west coast. I also want to gain some valuable experience before I begin my clinical rotations in January. Please let me know if you, or someone you know would be interested in mentoring me. Thank you!