"OB-nurse" vs. CNM....difference?

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 23, 2005

Well, of course that generates even MORE questions LOL

Well, I can't do that, because I am a sahm to four children, so I stay home w/them while dh works. And the RN programs around here are only daytime programs. Believe me, if I could just do an evening RN program (EVERYTHING, including the pre-reqs that I don't have) I would..but, since I can't, I'm starting out as an LPN, since the LPN program is totally evenings (clinicals and all), M-Th, 4p-9p. That's what works best for my family. When I start working, my hope is to be able to work nights, a few days a week.

You CAN get your LPN and go for an LPN-RN bridge program later on. you can even (if you are eligible) have your employer assist w/tuition for such programs. Just understand, you will have to do all the traditional college courses first----like Math, Speech, English, Sciences, etc. Most RN Programs nowadays are VERY competitive and so having as many pre-requisite courses done will benefit you----having the best grades possible, also critical. There are long waiting lists someplaces, so check it out. Get those pre-nursing courses knocked out then apply for an RN program. It will work, if you are really committed and determined. Many of us have gone to school while working and raising families, so I know it can be done.

Well, it's too soon to know for sure.... but I'm starting to wonder if a midwifery program is even in my reach. There aren't any schools around here (central FL), and moving ....well, with a dh and 4 kids, obviously that'd mean moving more than just ME LOL I dunno. That's many yrs in the future, and who knows what will be going on in life by then, kwim? At any rate, I know regardless it IS possible for me to obtain an MSN, even if I had to do it online. So, I wondered what opportunities were available with that, if the midwifery didn't work out. I see now that one DOES have to specify a "track" when pursuing an MSN.

Well there is always a place like the Frontier School of Midwifery, which is an amazing distance learning program for midwifery.

http://www.midwives.org

is their site, check it out. IT IS in REACH, if you want it! Distance learning programs (internet, correspondence) are becoming increasingly common to answer the needs of returning adult learners, so DO NOT LOSE HOPE; it's very possible for you to achieve all your goals.

Good luck. Hope this helps.

deb

HomeofLove4Him · Sep 23, 2005

Thanks Deb! :)

As far as the bridge from LPN->RN..I *do* have an AA degree, so I know that some of those classes will transfer over (I've been told anyway). But, I am missing the sciences (A&P, which means also Bio I & II), and ....I was told you have to have TAKEN or be eligible to take (determined by taking some test) College Algebra. Haven't taken it, so there's that one also. But of course hopefully as many of my classes I took for my AA degree would transfer over as possible.

And yes, I know its' possible to work, go to school, and raise a family..and I hate to sound like a pessimist, or "holier than thou", but putting my kids in childcare all day while I pursue school just isn't what we want, if there is another way around that, kwim? *hopes she hasn't offended anyone* :angryfire

And I am THRILLED to know that there are online midwifery programs! (or at least one) That has probably made my afternoon!! :)

Ohhh and I LOVE distance learning! I have been doing distance learning for 3+yrs now, and am currently at FSU via distance learning. The LPN will be the first time in 3yrs that I've gone to school in person, but I'm all about online courses! :)

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 23, 2005

YOU are NOT holier than thou--to me. You are "singing my tune" really. I am lucky in that my kids have never been in daycare except the brief time my dh was TDY (out of town) for military duty in my 4th semester in nursing school--- and even then, my son was in a certified daycare home of a very good friend at that time. That is all the daycare I ever cared to use....... I have had both kids at home WITH their father or me since my son's birth 13 years ago. I have done this by working the "undesireable" night and weekend shifts for 8 years now.

As an aside, I homeschool both of them now, and work part time as an L and D nurse. Adversity exists, but only to be overcome!

HomeofLove4Him · Sep 23, 2005

Deb, we are having more and more in common :) *ahem....except you are WAY ahead of me, in that you actually HAVE a career started, roflol*

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 23, 2005

woot!

and I dont' consider myself "ahead" of anyone. Just willing to lend a helping hand wherever needed. ask anything.

OB_or_NICU_hopeful · Sep 24, 2005

I think with enough determination ANYTHING is possible

Oh, and about daycare ~ You weren't offensive; we are all individuals & are simply "wired" differently. I have stayed home for nearly 4 years now with no family/outside support. It has been a huge struggle for me, my boys absolutely LOVE socializing, so to me it's a win-win. I get MY time at school (and in the future, work) and my boys hang out and have a blast with their friends! It's all about what works best for YOUR family :) I recently posted that I was going to have to put of school because it didn't work with my family's schedule. My boys have developmental delays and my oldest attends special ed preschool. As much as I need a change in my routine, I needed to make sure he could have his education (and my little guy is just starting OT & ST, so he will most likely go to special ed PS too). Turns out, the daycare about 1 mile from school has bus service I'm going to school after all So, for me it's not about you putting down what other's choose, but realizing that we all have unique needs

HomeofLove4Him · Sep 24, 2005

I think with enough determination ANYTHING is possible
Oh, and about daycare ~ You weren't offensive; we are all individuals & are simply "wired" differently. I have stayed home for nearly 4 years now with no family/outside support. It has been a huge struggle for me, my boys absolutely LOVE socializing, so to me it's a win-win. I get MY time at school (and in the future, work) and my boys hang out and have a blast with their friends! It's all about what works best for YOUR family :) I recently posted that I was going to have to put of school because it didn't work with my family's schedule. My boys have developmental delays and my oldest attends special ed preschool. As much as I need a change in my routine, I needed to make sure he could have his education (and my little guy is just starting OT & ST, so he will most likely go to special ed PS too). Turns out, the daycare about 1 mile from school has bus service I'm going to school after all So, for me it's not about you putting down what other's choose, but realizing that we all have unique needs

You're right--we all DO have unique needs :) How old are your boys? I'm so happy for you to hear that there IS a way for you to go to school, afterall! I know that feeling, realizing that it IS possible, afterall! :)

OB_or_NICU_hopeful · Sep 24, 2005

My boys are 3 & 2

I kind of worried about my post after I submitted it....afraid you would feel like I was preaching at you or something! I've just been in a real "funk" for a while now, and have always wanted to go to school. I think, for me, feeling like I was being "called" to do something, and not being able to move in that direction made me really depressed I used to feel exactly the same as you did about daycare (wanted to avoid it at all costs), but have come to realize that for my family it's a must. Now, if I had to leave them in daycare from 6a-6p M-F in order to go to school or work I would have to put off my career (I don't think my boys would thrive in full-time daycare).

I wish you the best on your nursing journey

Ya know, I should add that I applied to a selective BSN program....I guess I shouldn't say I'm going to school until they accept me

mitchsmom · Sep 24, 2005

HomeofLove4Him,

I am between Orlando & Lake Okeechobee in the orange groves :)

Meaning, I am really far from any CNM program as well. Whenever the time comes (I am just looking to get my BSN in April for now!!), I will probably pursue a distance program like Frontier (I think a couple others are too, like Stony Brook CUNY; you can look up programs at www.acnm.org).

Or, I have been thinking about starting out with a family NP program and add on CNM certification later, when my kids are bigger (I have three little ones myself: 3, 6, 8). I was thinking maybe FNP would be a little bit of a more family-friendly schedule until the kids are older (although I'm not sure about this, have to ask around more). Of course, the program would be more accessible too... even with a distance program like Frontier, it will be hard for me because we have no CNM's delivering in my rural county. I'd have to commute to have a preceptor, and I'm not sure how that would work out unless I could stay the night somewhere... that all gets to be a lot with kids. But if you are in, or close to, a metro area, you should have a lot CNM's around you.

I did almost all of my prereqs online before starting my BSN program- even A&P, Chemistry & the labs! My husband does shiftwork so he is able to be with the kids a lot of the time, & my program allows part-time attendance (about 30% of it is online also), so with all that my little one doesn't have to do daycare too often.

Sorry if I hijacked this, just didn't know if maybe you'd be interested in how I'm doing it since I'm interested in CNM also (it's actually the reason I went back to school), in FL, have kids, etc. etc. :-)

You can send me a personal message, too.

mitchsmom · Sep 24, 2005

Siri,

That is cool that you deliver also, I had not heard of that. Is that common where you are (what state?). So how do you distinguish yourself as an NP practice from a CNM?

Renee4christ · Sep 28, 2005

hi! i just read your thread and i would like to know the day to day duties as an RN in the OB. My heart is in OB. I'm an LPn student and will be going for my RN's.

Ob nurses can be RN's or LPNs. RN training is at the associate or bachelor degree level. LPN's go to their own schooling which can be from one year fulltime to 2 years part time.
CNMs are nurses who have achieved education BEYOND THE BACHELOR DEGREE level by 2-3 years (or more). They have, in addition to having a bachelor's degree, gone to a school of midwifery (master's degree) for their training. Often, they have prior experience prior to attending school for midwifery as labor/delivery nurses, but not always.
A CNM is an independent provider of well-woman care to include pap smears, checkups, prenatal care, labor/delivery care, and menopause management. He/she often will have local hospital priveleges with physician backup or operate a freestanding birth center, near a hospital with csection priveleges. This person also holds medication prescriptive authority in the majority of US States.
The RN works with labor/delivery and mother-baby care in the hospital setting. He/she is not an independent care provider on the level of the CNM, rather he/she delivers care under the guidance/direction/orders from doctors and midwives. He or she is the "eyes and ears" of the care provider at the hospital, providing direct care for the birthing family's needs and keeping the midwife/physician informed of progress and patient conditions.
I can provide an extensive list of our day to day duties, (as RN's) after I find it ---if you would like.
I hope this helps you understand a little better, our roles as CNMs and nurses. They are separate and distinct.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2005

Hi, I'm a CNM hopeful and just wanted to jump in and say that Philly University and University of Cincinatti both have distance education programs as well. For those of you in (or have been in) distance ed, I have a question. How did you find a CNM to do clinical training with? Does the school keep a list of CNM's willing to work with them?