Stony Brook vs Downstate MSN Midwifery

smallwonders07 · Apr 10, 2008

Hi, I don't know much about the programs but in terms of finding out when they send out acceptance letters, you could probably call the admissions office and find out. Good luck!

midwife228 · Mar 6, 2009

I am relatively new to Allnurses.com and just found your thread, which caught my eye because I am a Stony Brook grad from the distance program. I am really curious - what did you decide and where are you in school now? How is your educational journey going?

Xliljennnx · Mar 6, 2009

midwife228 - how do you like stony brook's online program? how is the work load? I just got accepted =)

midwife228 · Mar 6, 2009

Congratulations! :yeah: When do you start? I graduated in 2000 so the program may be quite different now; I know there is a different Director. Distance learning was the only way for me as I had to continue working fulltime as well, have a home and family, etc. A lot depends on your Faculty Advisor and study group. My study group was great; most of us were experienced L&D nurses and we planned regular get-togethers as well as online communication. Our Faculty Advisor was, unfortunately, quite unresponsive; we got very little feedback or communication from her so that study group was our lifeline. My preceptor also filled in the gaps for me. I know that other students who had different advisors had a totally different experience - which I suspect will be the case for you as (guessing from your user name, you are from NYC?) you would not have the preceptor who "covers" my area and, actually, I don't even know if she still is on SB's faculty. There are a lot of pluses to distance education as long as you are disciplined about setting study times. I have spent quite a bit of time, though, explaining distance learning to people who say "oh you took one of those correspondence courses"!

What is your nursing background? What types of settings have you worked in? Does SB still say they will find you a preceptor or do you have to find your own? Note of caution - at the time I was a student there they said they would find preceptors for us. Many of my friends had a great deal of difficulty with that and, in fact, some of them were delayed from graduating with the rest of us for that reason. I already knew who I wanted to precept with and had made that arrangement with her prior to starting.

Well I guess I have gone on and on here. Please stay in touch! I will be glad to try to answer any questions you may have.

midwife228 · Mar 6, 2009

Probably wrong assumption about you being from NYC; I was thinking of the user name of the person who started this thread that I responded to. Sorry!! Hope to hear from you again soon.

debbren · Mar 27, 2009

Hello there,

I have been following this thread with interest. I will have to do a distance program. I am looking at Frontier and Stoney Brook. I was wondering, about how long did you precept for, and about how long would you think I could accomplish all the course work and preceptorship as well if I went full time. Oh by the way I already have a MSN and was a Neonatal NP for nine years before my "retirement". But now, I am really excited to get back into the clinical setting so any info would be really helpful. I also see you are a NNP as well, I would think that is a great combo....!

Thank you...

midwife228 · Mar 27, 2009

Actually I'm not an NNP. I was an OB nurse for 19 years before going back to school, most of that in L&D. But the CNM/NNP would be a great combo, as would FNP/NNP. I took 2 full school years (August 1998-May 2000) for the Stony Brook program, including during the summer of 1999. I did clinical precepting for most of that time - except probably about 2 months at each end. Actual deliveries (45) took about a full year. I was working fulltime also (not ideal but no other choice) and was doing my preceptng in the same unit that I was working in (pluses and minuses to that but that's just the way I had to do it in order to have the preceptor I wanted). So if you aren't working fulltime it could maybe be done a little quicker; I know people who have done it in 18 months.

Good luck with your journey! Please keep me posted!

debbren · Apr 19, 2009

Hello again, just waiting to hear from NYS regarding my licences. Then I can proceed with future education plans. I too worked full time with 2 kids when I was getting my MSN. Took me 18 months, we are highly motivated students aren't we!! Several of my classmates were military gals, no kids, and no hurry...took them forever to finish their Thesis! Stress can be a good thing.

How is life as a CNM? I originally was going that route but CNM where getting a rough time in the 1980's from some of the medical establishment...so I thought Neonatology was a safer route...and still kept me around L&D, Maternal Child...but now...I am ready to do CNM. Finally....

Would love to hear how your setting uses the CNMs.....

Thanks!

mom2-3 · Apr 20, 2009

Debbren,

Are you just starting the cnm program, I wasn't sure by your post. I am in the process of applying and looking for any info about the program. I live in NY and love the cost of tuition as compared to Frontier. I started at Frontier about 7 years ago, but had to put it on hold when I became pregnant with my 2nd, and now have 4 kids!! I feel a strong pull to complete my training as a cnm so, here I go!!