LittleWing21

Honestly, this is a reason I haven't pursued FNP. So many patients come in seeking meds when that shouldn't be the treatment. Good luck finding something that works better for you!

Thanks for sharing that, it definitely makes sense. I have considered Women's Health, but I just don't know how much I would use my IBCLC. I absolutely love working with postpartum dyads and I feel like newborn care and education is a huge strength of mine. I've also considered FNP, but I'm middle-aged with two kiddos and honestly, I just don't want to waste time and $ on areas that I have no interest in. Also, CNM seems to be the only APRN that doesn't involve a good amount of prescribing. And I get so excited thinking about the curriculum! I haven't worked night shifts in many years, perhaps I could tolerate them better now ?

I would love to return to school for my masters but I'm so conflicted about which path! I'm currently an IBCLC with outpatient pedi (and now family practice) experience. I've always been passionate about maternal health and becoming a CNM is something I've considered for years. However, to be honest, I'm uncertain if the hours and the pressure of catching babies would be sustainable for my mental health. Do CNM's ever work purely in the outpatient setting? I would love to work in family medicine, seeing OB patients, helping with newborn care and lactation, as well as holistic-ish women's health. Any advice would be greatly appreciated- thanks! ?

I received my RN locally through a 2yr program ? My BS is in sports med. I loved Norwich! Will you be in the Corps?

Congrats!!!! I’m a Norwich grad but got my nursing degree later on. Their program has a good reputation and I love the school. Please let me know if you have any general questions about it!

If you are looking to work in geriatrics, the Cape is a great place to live!!! You may not get a hospice position right away, but a job as an RN in a LTC facility would probably lead you in the right direction. I'm struggling with my career path a bit personally because I'm at the other spectrum (maternal child) which is quite limited in this area! And no eye-rolling here, I'm a wash-a-shore myself. Been living here for about 7yrs now...sometimes I wonder "what on Earth was I thinking?" but then May rolls around and I remember again :)

Nice to meet y'all! Esf- definitely try at CCH & Falmouth. When I graduated in '08 it was difficult, though not impossible, to get a job there as a new grad. Having a BSN should help. I'm not sure if they even have a nurse recruiter, sadly, but they may. You might try working as a CNA there first if that's an option for you. There's also the Southcoast Hospitals and Jordan Hospital that many nurses on the Cape commute to. Be a little leery of nursing homes. They seem to welcome new grads with open arms....but often don't provide the support that's needed. Good luck!!!! Resanite- CCCC's nursing program is such a hidden gem! I loved it and felt super prepared for my NCLEX! My advice for school? Color-coded flashcards. That helped me soooo much. Sanity on the Cape? Good luck!!! Haha jk! I'm sure you'll find classmates who help you with that :) For me, it was the girls in my first clinical group. I can speak from experience- it can be hard if you're a wash-a-shore! Good luck to you too!

I live and work on Cape Cod! :)

I'd check out the Healthy Children course. I did it last spring and it was fabulous!!! http://www.healthychildren.cc/CLC.HTM They host workshops all around the country. Good luck!

You laugh, but I've seen it happen!!! Some kids are professional fakers! I had one girl who didn't even respond to painful stimuli....however, when I told her that her dad was going to have to pick her up early from camp, she somehow managed to snap out of it! It really is psychological warfare. Try to understand where they're coming from, and why they're faking symptoms. Often, the "fakers" have very vague GI symptoms. But the best way to tell is to get to know the kid. Get them away from other campers and use your therapeutic communication skills to get them to open up. Treating homesickness is a huuuge part of the job description :)

I didn't have a huge amount of experience when I was a camp nurse, and it went just fine! I'd brush up on the biggest issues you may encounter (for me it was Lyme disease and poison ivy). When in doubt, contact the parent/guardian even just to help you sleep better at night. Learn about your local resources, such as outpatient walk-in centers and nearby hospitals. Listen to your gut. And most importantly, HAVE FUN!!! :)

I'm very curious as to what CNMs' schedules are like too. I've tried asking on this board before, but didn't get too many answers. Seems to vary a lot...which is sort of daunting in a "what could I be getting myself into" kind of way. Good luck finding answers!

RN in Mass, $20 at family practice (yuck) and $25 at a pedi office.

I second Baby Catcher, it's now one of my favorite books!!

While no one has answered here, I've found some disheartening info on another forum saying that it's not a very good company to work for Who knows though, could just be their opinion!

Sorry you're feeling so stressed! Those are two very different jobs! What do you ultimately want to do as a nurse? While the NICU has high acuity and will be faster paced, you'll also be surrounded by people with experience who are there to help you as you learn. I would have LOVED that opportunity myself! Home health can be difficult when you lack experience because you have no one else to really turn to and have to function independently. Ask yourself: Which job will I be happier doing a year from now? Good luck choosing!

I'm thinking of applying as well! Personal Health RN? Hope you get some feedback :)

From what I've read, it seems like they tell everyone around the same time (except for those waitlisted). They may need to fill the applicant pool before they begin making decisions. I could be wrong though, just guessing!

Thanks everyone!!! I think part of my worry stems from the fact that I don't know what my husband's hours will actually be in the future....he's hoping to become a full-time police officer but only time will tell! Also, I'm 1.5 hrs from all of my family Boo to that!

I'm considering it!!! Just trying to figure out the timing...Anyone know what their acceptance rate is? Good luck to all who apply!!! :)

Sigh. I'm wondering if I should wait until i have kids and they're older to start...It might be hard to wait that long though!

Bumping! Are there really no midwives with little kids here?!?! Please help!

I just recently got married and will soon be starting a family (can't wait!). I'm currently an RN and am considering going back to school to get my CNM. I'm confident that I can handle going to school with a youngin at home, but my concern is what to do once I'm working. So I have a few questions for all of you fab midwives: 1) When you are called to a delivery, how do you get child care last minute? Do you have a babysitter on call whenever you're on call? 2) Do any of you work part-time so that you have more time with your baby? 3) For those of you who have had a baby while practicing as a midwife: how did you make it work? Thanks!

Littlemamanurse: For NP options there's Neonatal, Pediatric, or Family NP. There's also the option of becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist, which in some states is considered advanced practice nursing. However, that option seems to be in the process of phasing out. Would you prefer inpatient or outpatient care? Neonatal NP's tend to work in NICU's and function similarly to a medical resident. Pediatric and Family NP's tend to work outpatient as primary care practitioners. When you do your clinicals for your RN, you may get a better idea of what is right for you :)

That's really the one thing that is making me hesitate...can you raise a family and be a midwife? Hrmmm...Thanks for bringing up that point!