Wanting to pursue Midwifery at such a young age???

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2011

I want to start by saying I am only a BSN nursing student myself so I hope you don't mind me giving my opinion. I am also planning on pursuing my master's and becoming a CNM. I am not too much older then you and I have never thought of taht being a problem. I can say as a mother I would have no problem at all with having a young midwife and I'm sure by the time you graduate you will have a lot of confidence and really that makes a difference. I would also like to say it is very smart to finish it now because school and a family is very difficult. Good Luck!!!!

NurseB_, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2011

Yay another future CNM!!! :w00t: Yesterday I was looking up CNM's in my area and ALL of them had at least 10-15 years of L&D experience before they even went back to school!! That's when I had this thought. Thanks for your opinion!! Good luck with your future plans also!!!

obsydian · Jul 4, 2011

I wouldn't worry about getting a job. We have several "young" midwives in my area. One finished her schooling with the CNM I work for. She was hired right out of school at 28. :)

NurseB_, BSN, RN · Jul 4, 2011

That's great news!!! That's very encouraging to know that it's very possible to get a job as a midwife at a young age. :) I'm so excited about starting my career as a Midwife. I hope everything goes as planned!

arabianeyez83 · Jul 10, 2011

I would not consider it a problem. My midwife who has been one for 15 years told me she graduated at 25 years old. I'm 27 yo, I'm done with my first year of school, so i will be a CNM hopefully at 28 :). I graduated with my BSN at 22, I have been an ER nurse since then, no L&D experience.

NurseB_, BSN, RN · Jul 11, 2011

Are you currently in a CNM program? If so, where?

arabianeyez83 · Jul 11, 2011

Yes I am, I live in Michigan, I go to Wayne State University. I am doing it full time so it is a 2 year program. I'm done with my first year (well in a month), and next semester I start clinicals. I am soooooo excited!!!!

krb09 · Jul 12, 2011

Yes I am, I live in Michigan, I go to Wayne State University. I am doing it full time so it is a 2 year program. I'm done with my first year (well in a month), and next semester I start clinicals. I am soooooo excited!!!!

Arabianeyez,

How has it been without having L&D experience? I am originally from MI (U of M alum), living in Chicago and start at UIC in August for CNM. I have no L&D experience, my background is all adult ICU and it makes me a little nervous Any advice??

arabianeyez83 · Jul 12, 2011

So far it has not been a problem at all because the first year has been classes like theory, research, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment, which are general and not specific to midwifery. All the advanced practice nurses take these classes. Starting this September I start clinicals. My first clinical is prenatal and gyn care. I do 12 hrs a week of clinical and a weekly lab. My second clinical is intrapartum and immediate postpartum for which i do 16 hrs a week of clinical and u have lab once a week. Last clinical is called Integration where you put it all together, you are with a midwife for 6 weeks 40 hrs a week, you do clinic and L&D. Regarding having no L&D experience, my advisor told me I will be fine, just more work on my part. Like FHT's is basic knowledge for a L&D nurse, for me I've bought books and studying on my own time, and actually going to a conference in Sept on FHT monitoring. It's actually in Chicago..u should go lol..hope this helped :)

NurseB_, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2011

Yes I am, I live in Michigan, I go to Wayne State University. I am doing it full time so it is a 2 year program. I'm done with my first year (well in a month), and next semester I start clinicals. I am soooooo excited!!!!

That's GREAT!!!! I'm so happy for you. Congrats on almost finishing your first year! :yeah: Are you working also? I know when I go to Midwifery school I will have to work full time, but I'm planning on going to Frontier, which is a complete online program. I think that will work best with my schedule. Plus I really don't want to be in the "traditional" classroom setting anymore. I'm thinking about working full time and going to school part time. I know it will take longer, but I don't want to overwhelm myself. How has that been for you? If you work do you find it hard to balance the two?

arabianeyez83 · Jul 17, 2011

Thank you :) Yes I work full time and go to school full time. I work 12 hr shifts thurs, fri, and sat. I go to school Mon and Wed. I've learned to prioritize and be as productive as possible, like studying on any break at work. The hardest thing has been is that I started school when my son was 6 months. He is now 15 months, it's almost impossible to study at home, so If I really have to study I have to go somewhere else. That is hard as well, I want to spend all my time with him. I keep telling myself it's one more year, he won't remember anyways lol. So yes it's very doable if you plan to work full time and go to school part time and you don't plan on starting a family lol :)