What can I do for education/experience while in nursing school?

[pcat518]

I'm planning to begin nursing school soon and then continue on to an MSN program in midwifery (hopefully Frontier).

In the time between now and when I'm applying to grad school and looking for my first nursing job--which would ideally be in L&D or a birth center, though I'm aware I may have to take what I can get as a new grad--I'd like to keep a foot in the birth world. This could be volunteer experience, education, etc., and I'm looking for ideas.

I'm trained as a birth doula have I'm partway towards being DONA certified, but I just had a baby 3 weeks ago so doula work is out for awhile (and once I begin nursing school, it would be out anyway). But I'm thinking along those lines. I'm also in the process of qualifying for my IBCLC exam and hope to be ready to test by the time I begin nursing school so I'll have that.

I'm in PA and the PA Midwives Alliance has a midwife assistant training program that I was thinking would be useful for some basic skills and education and to have on my resume, but it seems more like it's for the LM/CPM route so I'm not sure if it would even matter to anyone who'd be looking at my resume for grad school.

Are there opportunities I'm not thinking of? I want things to have on my resume, but I also really just want to keep learning and participating in birth work in some form so I don't forget my end goal and why I'm putting myself through this.

[keh48223]

Is it possible for you to maybe get a PRN job as a unit secretary on the L&D unit while you're in nursing school? At least you would get face time with the nursing staff! Maybe after your first semester, you could apply for a CNA or Tech position in L&D. That's my plan at least. I'm on the same path that you are as far as RN -> MSN, CNM. I also want to become an IBCLC in the future! Good luck to you!

[pro-student]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. With DONA and IBCLC you're WAY ahead of most applicants to midwifery programs. Frontier recently changed their admissions to preferring 1 year of experience as an RN (without regard to specialty) but they will considered related experience such as a doula, childbirth educator, lactation consultant in lieu of RN experience. If you want to go straight into the MSN program, then try to get some experience as a doubla and/or lactation consultant. If you can't land a job, maybe you can do some volunteer work (e.g. - start a breastfeeding support group).

[Laur318, BSN, RN]

It looked to me like 1 year RN experience was a requirement not a preference, unfortunately.

I would hope a combined short-term experience as an RN + DONA certification should help!

[yesterdayschild]

I worked as a midwife's assistant for a home birth CNM while I was in nursing school and I loved the experience! I will say though make sure you are very comfortable with the midwife(s) you choose to work with. Make sure you feel safe working with them and they have a high standard of care. I sort of stumbled into the best case scenario. But I loved my experiences with natural, unmedicated home births and water births. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Doing doula work and IBCLC will also be super helpful.