When to start applying for Certified Nurse Midwife jobs?

CNMidwife2Be · Nov 10, 2014

Hi Alecia, I'm also about a year from graduation from Frontier. I've heard about many classmates starting that process as far as 6 months out. No need to wait for comps or boards. I think some places won't be interested at that point but I know of classmates who got job offers around that time.

How are you liking Georgetown?

cayenne06, MSN, CNM · Nov 11, 2014

So funny, we just talked about this in class today. It sounds like the general consensus is you can start looking in the last few months of your program, but that some places will not interview anyone who hasn't at least passed the certification exam, and others won't interview anyone who isn't yet licensed.

I personally know a handful of students in other programs who had jobs before they graduated. So it never hurts to start early. Between insurance and facility credentialing, the onboarding process takes months anyway (at least from what I have been told), so many places are willing to hire you before your certification/licensing process is complete.

seattleguy · Jan 4, 2015

I am liking it, except the price :no: , but it will all be worth it. So, any examples of people you know landing job months out? I am just curious, I cannot wait to be finished! Thanks again.

**LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM** · Jan 5, 2015

I got a job in early May, right before graduation, at the hospital where I had done my intrapartum rotation. In my experience, students only really get job offers before graduation from places where they have done clinicals, or have some other longstanding connection. I don't know anyone who interviewed somewhere as an unknown candidate, and got the job before licensure (doesn't mean it hasn't happened). One of the many reasons to always put your best foot forward at clinicals, a good recommendation from a preceptor can go a long way! I was the only one in my class with a job before graduation, but everyone else is now employed too, so don't worry.

cayenne06, MSN, CNM · Jan 5, 2015

One of the many reasons to always put your best foot forward at clinicals, a good recommendation from a preceptor can go a long way! I was the only one in my class with a job before graduation, but everyone else is now employed too, so don't worry.

Quoted for truthiness. Midwifery is a close-knit profession; it's not like finding a nursing job. You really have to network. Making a good impression with your faculty and clinical sites is crucial in getting that first job.

seattleguy · May 4, 2015

Thanks everyone for all the responses! Anyone else with experience on when to start applying for positions, or advice? I will be graduating in about 8 months now.

Thanks again.

cayenne06, MSN, CNM · May 7, 2015

Just an update, since I am GRADUATING TODAY!!!! I started applying for jobs in late January, and signed with a practice in February. However, I actually ended up finding an even better job, which i officially accepted yesterday. So I think you can start looking in your last semester, but be cautious about signing on with a practice when you are still months from graduating, because you never know what other oportunities might present themselves. I felt terrible for signing with this practice in February, having them hold a position for me, only to decline it over 2 months later

**LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM** · May 7, 2015

Congrats cayenne! What's your new job like?

seattleguy · Jun 19, 2015

Thanks for the responses

cayenne06, MSN, CNM · Jun 23, 2015

Congrats cayenne! What's your new job like?

I'm a clinician at Planned Parenthood :) :)

And yes, I will miss catching babies. But I will NOT miss 50+ hour work weeks and staying up all night. I've been working here for about 2 weeks now and I am in love. I could see myself doing this forever and ever and ever. Public health has always been a major part of my love for midwifery.

notallwhowander, MSN, RN, APRN · Jun 29, 2015

That's the exact kind of job that I want to do - I love women's health and public health, and I hope when I graduate (I just started the program so I've got a couple of years) I can find a similar position! Good luck with it :)