Goozgog

Hey Good luck to you all....I'm in the CNEP 64 class with two more terms to go until Clinical Bound...I can't wait! When I applied to Frontier I didn't know any NPs or CNMs, so I asked the nurse manager, nurse educator, and a co-worker/friend to be my references. Hope to see you in the Frontier forums....

ditto and yep yep yep. I had two babies in nursing school and already had a school aged child. That was tough. I work full time with two 12s one week and three 12s the next on weekend nights. My kids are in school and daycare M-F, that way I can study and have some sanity time. I am officially enrolled PT but have the option to study FT if I think I can handle it. Last term was FT for me and I made it without taking an incomplete (grades pending). I don't have time to do much else

By the way, I worked L&D for 6 weeks and went back to cardiology. In L&D I found myself covering my butt more than anything. I wanted to be the doula but had to watch the monitor etc...Hated it! No body in my tele job get it, but I don't care. Now I'm looking for work either in Hospice/home health (I think its the closest I can get to home births as an RN), or ER. I'm bored with tele, but can't wait to start clinicals as a SNM!!!

Epiphany, That was absolutely beautiful! I am currently a CNEP student, finishing my 3rd term at Frontier. I took my first class related to midwifery. Reproductive phys. It was the basics, but like you said, I am wondering how I am going to really "know" all of this stuff. I am scared and intimidated. I've heard horror stories about how hard "Antepartum"...You know. But I am so grateful and happy to finally, after all the years I fantasized about being a midwife, to finally be so close. Thanks for your "epiphany" Goozgog

my 10 yr old is in school until 3pm but my little ones 3 and 17 months are home with me and my hubby. There is no way I can study successfully with them monkeeying around the house all day.

Hi! We are not the only ones in CNM school without L&D experience. I think we'll be fine. Now I'm trying to find day care for school.

I did it! I quit L&D.........Agh! I'm goin back to tele, tele, tele, To work 75% weekend days. That is the best schedule I can get for school and family. I always doubt my decisions. But this time I am going to stick it out, go to school and focus on the type of midwifery practice I want to do.

The more I think about going back to tele the better it sounds. I was working straight nights over there and it wore me down emotionally and mentally. I have three kids at home so I rarely got enough sleep unless I hired someone to watch the kids. My old boss said I could work straight weekend days if I want and I can work 75%. I think that would simplifiy my life as far as scheduling my study time goes. The acuity has been really high there for the past few months and they have just changed their service line from med-surg to critical care. Personally, I like the adrenaline rush of being busy, and that unit is definately busy! In L&D I have to work 50-50 which makes it hard to fit in study time because for me, working nights takes a whole other day just to recover. I am useless when tired! I feel guilty having wasted L&D's time, but I really am not happy there. CPM's do just fine without hospital experience. If I work weekend days @ 75% I can plan to study 8 hrs p/d X4 with one day off every other week. I still need to get my NRP and I don't know if this hospital will let me do that if I'm not an L&D RN. The L&D unit required all RN's to get NRP certified at 6 months of hire. The birthing center requires it for all RN's. THAT is my real dillemma. Any thoughts?

hey Mom2Micheal, I actually called my old manager from the tele unit today and asked if I could have my job back. She said I could but wants me to think about it for a week. I don't know what to do again. I do love birth but not like this....I'm bored doing more charting than anything else. Maybe I would be better off getting the critical care type of experience I was getting on tele and have that knowledge as a backup instead of pit, epi's and c-sections. I'm still going to be a CNM when I grow up. The birthing center that my preceptor works at is going to call me to be a birth assistant PRN.

I should have read this thread prior to posting a new thread. I have been a RN for a little over year and worked in tele. I will start midwifery school in December and thought I should get L&D experience. Now four weeks into my orientation I am finding myself unhappy there. Read the thread "aspiring CNM in L&D." Now I am wondering if I should go back to tele and work the horrible night shifts again, or look for a job in home health/hospice. Hopefully my hubby will make enough money soon that I can quit working while in school. The RN's in L&D gossip about my preceptor who works in the only birthing center around here. They don't like her becuase she "gets in the way of nursing care," like, taking off the O2 when the RN just put it on. My guess is that this particular CNM is trying to maintain the power of the birthing woman while in a powerless environment.

So here I am working L&D. I have been there 4 weeks now and guess what? I am not particularly happy there. I am bothered by the fact that every woman who walks through our doors in intervened upon. I am bothered that we "RN's" have to cover our butts, so whatever the fetal monitor says, I have to show that I have intervened, usually with O2 etc..I am bothered that the "patient" gets multiple vag exams before, during, and after rupturing membranes, and then she ends up with a temp, chorio, and then a C-section. I am bothered that a co-worker gave me an attitide when I let my young pt on pit walk around the unit to help her labor progress. I didn't know the pt had to be on a monitor while walking. I said ok and put the pt on an avalon monitor. I felt so dumb! I don't think I want to work there anymore. Maybe I will be happier working Hospice/days...

I felt the same way. I only became a RN so that I could become a midwife. I had no interest in working with sick people either. In school, my favorite class was ob and I loved the clinical. After graduation I applied to L&D in two hospitals. They both said they wouldn't hire me without some kind of experience unless I had capstoned there and of course I didn't. Unfortunately, my school couldn't get me in. So I applied to a cardiology unit because I had a classmate working there who loved the experience she was getting. I thought this is probably the best way for me to get my "nursing" skills in for now. While in cardiology/tele, I traveled to Ghana with my employer and some MD's for a humanitarian mission. I met with the nursing supervisor at the hospital there and she said I could work wherever I wanted, so I chose L&D. THAT was scary! The women literally birth on a type of dentists chair covered with a plastic bag that falls into a bucket! I don't know why I brought that up, but I felt useless in there L&D ward. We saw lots of premies "sharing" NICU beds, and one of them had expired! Anyway, I ended up working on a regular med-surge unit where the people really were sick. Much sicker than our patients that I have seen at home. Why am I bringing this up? The experience gave me an appreciation for nursing in general. The nurses I met and worked with in Ghana did not participate in patient care. Patients in all of the units I went to were left alone, without any type of information. They were just happy to be in a hospital....I guess they didn't know they were getting septic there! We spent some time talking with the nursing students. I found myself as a new RN talking about the importance of nursing and most of all about human dignity. I felt like I was standing in my teachers shoes, lecturing myself and my classmates...it was very wierd. I am now a new RN in L&D and so-far I love it. I have questioned some things and wished that these patients would just walk, or not take the epidural. I wonder why all of the patients are in bed waiting. When I was pregnant, I was moving all the time, and I had two babies naturally, one of which was at home in the hot-tub...great story for later. I chose to work L&D right now becuase I start midwifery school in December and I really want to have the exposure to hospital births just so I know what to expect. Ultimatley, I would like to do homebirths (not legal for CNM's here) or birthing center births, not hospital. As far as talking to pt's about alternatives, I had an opportunity just the other day. A 16 year old came in at about 7 months gest asking about waterbirths etc...I wanted so badly to tell her about my homebirth midwife or of the birthing center nearby, but I am new and didn't know how to approach that. I just told her that there is ALOT of info on the internet about natural births in Utah. Okay, this is a long one. I hope it helps. Also, I can't wait to see you Frontier ladies in December. I can't even describe how happy I am to finally embark upon this long awaited journey!

I haven't registered on BT101 yet. Am I on there? My name is Marci. Heritage, which hotel will you stay in? Maybe we can do some sightseeing together before catching the bus to Hyden. OMG I can't believe this is real!

I was having second thoughts about going to school right now but have decided to stick with my heart. I'll see you there! Is anyone arriving November 30th? From my neighborhood, there are not any flights that will get me there Dec 1 in time to catch the shuttle bus. I will have to arrive the night before, or leave the 30th with two stop-over's to arrive by noon on the 1st. I am so excited, I feel like I am in a dream!:typing:rolleyes:

I have been thinking about what Smark35 and Mom2micheal have said and here is what I have decided... First of all, I have quit my tele job and am now orienting to L&D. Since I left my last job I have been on a normal schedule, meaning I get to sleep at night. I didn't realize how hard straight nights were. I thought I had it under control but now realize that part of my problem was that I was purely exhausted! I have also cut my schedule back to 75%. As far as grad school goes, I'm going for it! There is never a "right time" to go to grad school, just like there is never a "right time" to have a baby. I will be going to school part time, so with a 75% schedule at work, part time school and day care I think I will be okay. We are insane to think that we could sell our house and break even right now with the economy the way it is (all the more reason to get my CNM now). Therefore, buying a new home will have to wait a while. Since I left tele, I am finding myself loving my family the way I knew I did. My husband and I are getting along, I'm nice to him and my little ones, and I even took my kids to the zoo today which I never could have done on my straight night schedule just becuase I was always too tired to do anything. I want to be a CNM more than anything. On my first day at L&D, I cried the whole way to work becuase I am just so grateful to begin my journey of midwifery. I do have a lot to learn in L&D. I spent all of my third day being a doula by accident. It wasn't part of this weeks orientation, I just threw my nursing skills aside and focused on the laboring mom. I cry every shift it seems. I feel like I am in my element. I am 39 years old and don't feel like I have time to wait. I am afraid that if I put school off now then I am in danger of putting it off forever. This is what I went to nursing school for. If it wasn't for "my calling" to midwifery I never would have made it through my BSN program. I feel that by not going I am violating my soul. Does this sound a little wierd? I will be speaking with my new manager next week regarding my schedule. I think I will have to work 50-50, but I am going to see what I can do to work more days than nights. I realize that CNM's get called at night and that is okay. I think it's a spiritual journey so helping a mom give birth can only fill me up with love and gratitude. Right? I think I should stop writing now, I am sounding like a wierdo. Thanks for your support. I really needed to hear what you both had to say.:redpinkhe

I am having second thoughts about going to school this December because of my family obligations. I have a 10 year old, a 2.5 year old and a 14 month old. My hubby and I are considering the possibility of purchasing a new home because the one we live in is too small for all of us. I am starting a new job in L&D this Sunday and will have to work 75% for the first year. I have been accepted into Frontiers midwifery program for this december and want to go soooooo bad! The problem is that I haven't even had time to read through my orientation manual for L&D. I have a sitter to watch the kids while I sleep but her hours aren't going to work for me if I am in school. I have looked into daycare and can probably get them in this December. Honestly, I have not enjoyed being a mother lateley. I have been very angry and tired. I feel overwhelmed as it is...and I'm not even in school yet! I want to be a CNM more than anything. Financially, my income isn't enough to support my family. My hubby is starting a new business and is making some money, enough to get us by. But I worry about the strain on our marriage and our kids. I have been so stressed out that I have considered getting a divorce. My hubby and I became pregnant after 1 month of dating, married when she was 5 weeks old, I was in school, then had another baby, I graduated, and now, 1.5 years later (post graduation), I want to pursue my dreams of becoming a CNM but wonder if I need to let the dust settle so to speak. My hubby and I haven't had time to get to know each other. We have been busy busy busy and I have become increasingly resentful and angry. So...any suggestions out there?

I will begin orientation in L&D the week of the 20th. I did not mention that I was going to midwifery school out of fear that they would not want to hire me if they knew. I think I should be quiet about pursuing an advanced degree in midwifery. I don't know. I haven't started yet. I don't have any real experience in L&D and don't want anyone thinking that I should know something because I am in school (will be this December). My goal is to be teachable while I'm there, and just learn the ropes. I want to get my experience, just so that in the future, once I have my CNM I will know that I've had L&D experience. Ultimately, I would like to do home-births but they are not legal in my state for CNM's. Therefore, since my preceptor works in a birthing center, I hope to work there with her.

I would like to ride the shuttle bus as well. OMG! I am so excited!

Hi All, In my first semester of nursing school I was pregnant and my baby was born at home (one hour labor) in the hot tub on Thanksgiving break! I brought her to school the following Monday for an exam, and managed to get through school. Although, I almost didn't make it the next semester. Something had to give so I quit nursing...the baby. I was 8 months pregnant again on graduation and was studying for the boards with the kids in the basement with me while my hubby was upstairs remodeling the kitchen (nesting instinct?). My baby was born a little early so studying for the boards with a toddler, a newborn, and a 10 year old with my husband knocking out concrete, dust flying all over everything, making peanut butter sandwiches for dinner and watching Kaplan online was FUN! But I got through it all. I sat for the boards for 5 1/2 hours, and walked out of there with my blouse soaking wet in breast milk and completely out-of-my-mind! So, on that note. I am going to graduate school this December. I am working full time and studying part time. No more babies for me!

Hi all and thanks for your replies. Honestly, in hind site, I have to admit that I didn't ask for help. I hate to admit it but it is true. Other than call the MD and RT. I wasn't trying to hide anything. I called and talked to the MD while sitting next to my charge nurse, who didn't ask me any questions, so I kind of thought that it may not be a real emergency if both my CN and the MD weren't freaking out. But I was. I wondered if I was freaking out because I didn't know if I should ask for help...again! I am always asking questions and asking for help. I feel so stupid a lot of the time. I've been there just over a year and work night shifts. I just haven't seen this before. The next shift I had another pt go to ICU, and the CN working that night was very helpful..so much so that I asked her to stand by and let me do the work so I know that I know what I am doing. I'm even afraid to post this out of fear that you are all going to hang me by my toenails!

Thanks Athena55, I appreciate your support. Would you believe that when I went to work last night it was a continuation of the previous night? I got report and was slammed with three high priorities on three different pt's! One of which was tachypneic and had to be transported to SICU...again! This time I was more prepared, but still in shock from the night before. I couldn't believe this was happening again! Anyway, I handled it better and got more support on the floor. I have three more weeks in tele until I start my new job in L&D. I bet that since nothing major happened for my first year in tele, it's all going to unfold now, right before I move on to my new job. I sure hope I will be able to think fast in L&D! I don't want to loose any mom's or babies!

Hi all. I am a new RN working in a step down tele unit. I have worked there since graduation (last year), and maybe because I work night shift, never had to transfer a pt to ICU until last night. I had a pt post sx who had an appendectomy. He was stable until a few hours after surgery when his respirations got up to 48 per minute. OMG! I was scared. I put him on a face mask with 10 L, and didn't know what to do first. Listen to RR? BP read SBP 170's, should I get a manual now? I tried but was worried about his RR. Call RT first? Call MD first? How do I do any of this and not leave the pt? Anyway, I called RT, and MD. RT wouldn't do anything without orders, but she did put him on a non-rebreather with 15L bringing his sa02 to 95%. MD came and almost intubated the pt. Fortunately, RR dropped to low 30's. I got CXR, ABG c lytes, EKG. His Pa02 was 79 on 15L. So I brought him to ICU. I felt so stupid, because I felt completely unprepared. I didn't know how to transport him with the telemon. I didn't even know that the continuous pulse ox could run on battery power. I just felt inadequate! Is this how I am going to learn? At the expense of a pt's life and my license? I am angry with myself because I have been there one year and should have known better. Maybe I am not cut out to be a nurse. I got flustered, wrote the verbals in the wrong pt's chart, didn't know how to order the ABG's (not same as other labs), didn't know how to transport or even where the SICU was! Should I quit now?

Thank you all so much for your feedback. It is so nice to talk to people who can understand my dilemma! I am interested in working at the one and only free standing birthing center in my area but first I would need my NRP...according to my hospitals website, you need to be in L&D to qualify. I could probably email them and see if I can get in anyway. I just haven't tried yet. My preceptor actually works at the birthing center and I can get most of my clinicals there from what I understand. Hmmm, two classes ehe? First term. Let's think, I will start L&D in Sept which gives me three months until school starts. Then, 1 term is 12 weeks correct? So that gives me 6 months into L&D. Then, if I go full time that will give me another 6 months (2 terms) to get my butt kicked. Maybe I should go part time. Like you both said, I can always switch to full time later. UUGGGGHHH! I want I want I want to be a midwife now! My preceptor told me to take my time and take it easy. I guess I should listen to her and both of you. It makes more sense in my world too. I heard somewhere that if you hear the same thing from three people, you can take it as a sign that someone is trying to get your attention. On the bright side, if you get in Heritage, we can study together and travel together maybe... I love this site Thank you all for the clarity.

Hello everybody! I have been offered a position in L&D!!! This is what I have been waiting for...I think... Frontier bound is in December and this is what I have been waiting for the last 10 years. My dilemma is that in L&D I have to work full time for the first year, and then if I want to, I can cut back to as little as 30% the following year. My concern is this: should I take the L&D position and study part time? Can I both study and work full time....with small children at home? How time consuming is the first year in Frontiers midwifery program? Is anyone here going to Frontier part time and if so, would you mind sharing your thoughts as to why you decided to go part time? I would rather work part time and study full time, but we need my income and benefits. If I stay where I am (tele/med surg), I can switch to part time whenever I need to. OMG! I wonder if I am setting myself up for failure? I am afraid that L&D will be emotionally draining. Can't I tell the mom not to wear the fetal monitor?? JK. Can I question the doc's...why are you doing this??? Can I help a natural drug-free-birth-wanting mother stick with her decision to have her baby without meds? Am I a doula (yes), a L&D RN (which means what exactly), or a med-surg RN....? I feel like I am faking which ever role I take on! Now that I have worked so hard to be exactly where I am today...ready to go to midwifery school, I am scared ****less! I have been a RN for 15 months and couldn't get into L&D without med surg experience, and Frontier does not require L&D experience. I just thought it would benefit my learning and practice to have L&D experience. Any thoughts/suggestions out there? Thanks for listening