RN, new CNM student

MariannaCNMstudent, ADN, BSN · Jun 4, 2021

Here what I like about that program so far. Note, I haven't started my classed yet.

1. Info session on zoom with possibility of live chat with faculty members. Was able to ask questions and share some info about myself, for example no L&D experience and no intention to have it). I learned that they have rolling admission, that I like more than a classical system. Another important point was how they work with a low GPA. It is not my issue, but I was glad to learn that they provide an option for such people. I believe that we need midwives so badly that everyone deserves a chance. So I appreciate their approach.

2. They gave me an admission advisor. This lady was super responsive via emails and phone for me over almost a year. All my questions were answered. Some formal and time-consuming document requirements were waived. I missed all deadlines because my BSN degree was processed only by the end of May. But when I at last sent it, I got the answer (acceptance letter) in 2! work days. That saved me so many nerve cells!

I think I like the program so far. I understand that in-person is better. But I have 5 kids, two of which are under 3 years old and cannot relocate.

londonflo · Jun 4, 2021

53 minutes ago, MariannaCNMstudent said:

for example no L&D experience and no intention to have it).

Just curious, not being critical but the school accepts students for a Midwife program without any L & D experience? Is this usual? Does the curriculum have extensive clinical time with all types of situations a CNM might see and participate in? Do they find your preceptors and ensure you cover the whole gamut of things?

The school also states students can work during the 2 year program so maybe that is when you can catch up. Gotta ask how rigorous an advanced curriculum is when you can work at the same time. The program is online (with 2 required visits to campus)

MariannaCNMstudent, ADN, BSN · Jun 8, 2021

On 6/4/2021 at 10:43 AM, londonflo said:

Just curious, not being critical but the school accepts students for a Midwife program without any L & D experience? Is this usual? Does the curriculum have extensive clinical time with all types of situations a CNM might see and participate in? Do they find your preceptors and ensure you cover the whole gamut of things?

The school also states students can work during the 2 year program so maybe that is when you can catch up. Gotta ask how rigorous an advanced curriculum is when you can work at the same time. The program is online (with 2 required visits to campus)

L&D experience is a must only in a couple of programs. Others want you to have some relevant experience, preferably L&D, but also a doula, midwife assistant, postpartum nursing or else. I have "else" and I just explained in my essay why I don't want L&D. I have my reasons and they respect it. For all types of situations you have to go abroad, well, the best way to do so. Here in the US you can wait years for the case of full-blown eclampsia, or uterus rupture or breech or twins lady partsl delivery. Yes, they require more clinical hours than usual, but not max. I saw anywhere from 500 to 1000, they are in the middle. I don't think they are very helpful with preceptors. I am going to look for the preceptors myself and will start this Summer for the next, when I have my first clinical. Our city hospitals are full of students, but in 1 hour drive distance they have nobody. I even saw an invitation recently from one rural birth center. I will sit and give a call to every suitable person or place. I think I will locate something. Any program lower than 12 credits per semester allow you to work. I looked at the schedule, last two semesters there are so many clinical hours on top of classes, so I don't think it is plausible. I know a Frontier graduate (of this year), she worked full-time the whole program (not midwifery though). It's the matter of program structure. Bethel has 15-16 credits per semester, this makes keeping a job close to impossible, especially if you have other responsibilities.

londonflo · Jun 8, 2021

Quote

I have "else" and I just explained in my essay why I don't want L&D. I have my reasons and they respect it.

They also respect your $$$

28 minutes ago, MariannaCNMstudent said:

I have "else" and I just explained in my essay why I don't want L&D

What is "else"? I have read several posts on here that those applying for CNM just want "happy" cases, none with complications or reflecting the complicated physical and social situations a delivery can happen in. Just seems sad to me that a nurse wants to cherry pick and choose the delivery they will participate in. I do wonder if you can find full time work, avoiding any problematic deliveries! I am retired and adjusting to nurses avoiding the full care spectrum of health just doesn't equate with the foundation and tenets of profession of nursing. From those of us who worked hard to increase the pay to equate the complexities of care, I wonder about the future of the profession.

Best wishes to you and may you find what you wish for.

MariannaCNMstudent, ADN, BSN · Jun 8, 2021

It is not my intention to avoid problematic deliveries. Rather the opposite, I want to provide full care to underserved and vulnerable populations. My "else" is years of experience as a hospital midwife outside the US.

londonflo · Jun 8, 2021

I do wish you well but I am still asking why "underserved and vulnerable populations" cannot not be served with your well-earned knowledge and experience in the US medicine Instead of joining a program that accepts those with low GPA's and a lack of experience. Remember these will be your classmates with whom you share knowledge, attitudes and any skills they possess on an online program.

I loved my graduate school years but we all came with proven experience, honed goals for post graduation and we daily communicated knowledge and critiques of each other's work. Since then, I have taken online courses for my doctorate and find them juvenile and unsubstantial. I hope your experience is better than mine.

MariannaCNMstudent, ADN, BSN · Jun 8, 2021

Thank you for good wishes. All midwifery programs have a threshold of 3.0 GPA. They are not taking people with lower GPA. But they discuss with those how to raise GPA to be eligible to apply. So people at least know what to do. Again, most programs require 1 year of RN experience and they do, most programs want L&D experience, but do note mandate it, and they don't. I think I saw only one program with mandatory L&D experience out of 30. So I don't see how you concluded from what I wrote that this is low quality program. My guess that it is just average. Didactic classes are mostly the same across all the programs. Clinicals and preceptors make a difference. With this program it is mostly on me. But Frontier that is highly rated here does not find preceptors neither.

**LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM** · Jun 8, 2021

On 6/4/2021 at 10:43 AM, londonflo said:

Just curious, not being critical but the school accepts students for a Midwife program without any L & D experience? Is this usual? Does the curriculum have extensive clinical time with all types of situations a CNM might see and participate in? Do they find your preceptors and ensure you cover the whole gamut of things?

The school also states students can work during the 2 year program so maybe that is when you can catch up. Gotta ask how rigorous an advanced curriculum is when you can work at the same time. The program is online (with 2 required visits to campus)

Are you unfamiliar with direct-entry programs? Are you a midwife? The midwifery programs at Yale, Columbia, Vanderbilt, and NYU, just to name a few, don't require nursing experience at all, let alone L&D. One of the most highly ranked programs in the country, Frontier, is also online. To be sure, no program is perfect, but just because a program doesn't require L&D nursing experience, or is online, doesn't mean it's low quality. I feel like you're trying to pick a fight just for the sake of it, without actually having the faintest idea what you're talking about, and I'm not sure why.

rebecuna, MSN, RN, CNM · Jul 8, 2021

On 6/8/2021 at 2:53 PM, LibraSunCNM said:

Are you unfamiliar with direct-entry programs? Are you a midwife? The midwifery programs at Yale, Columbia, Vanderbilt, and NYU, just to name a few, don't require nursing experience at all, let alone L&D. One of the most highly ranked programs in the country, Frontier, is also online. To be sure, no program is perfect, but just because a program doesn't require L&D nursing experience, or is online, doesn't mean it's low quality. I feel like you're trying to pick a fight just for the sake of it, without actually having the faintest idea what you're talking about, and I'm not sure why.

☝️ This.

I have talked to midwives who have told me that lack of L&D experience can actually be beneficial because I won't have to "unlearn" nursing things in my role as a provider (midwife)-- the roles are very different. The number of clincial hours required in these programs prepares you to be a midwife-- and you have to pass your boards, which are the same for everyone. So if you are a CNM you have the knowledge necessary to begin a caree as a midwife. I'm sure it's like nursing-- most of the learning happens after your license.

londonflo · Sep 6, 2021

On 7/8/2021 at 1:46 PM, rebecuna said:

I have talked to midwives who have told me that lack of L&D experience can actually be beneficial because I won't have to "unlearn" nursing things in my role as a provider (midwife)-- the roles are very different.

Our egos and brains do funny things to us to help us justify our decisions.

NurseMac808 · Feb 11, 2023

Hello @MariannaCNMstudent,

How is the program going? What do you like about it? I just applied and I'm really nervous. The enrollment advisor has been really great with helping me with promptly answering my questions. I would love to go to this program.