MemberSo I have decided to go back to school and I know I want to take it further than just being a nurse. I am considering being a midwife, just wondering if any bees are midwives and if they can offer any advice.
MemberDo you think you would be comfortable and able to support the client in their choices in this line of work?
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MemberOh i’m super duper jealous! midwifery is my dream job! I’m alittle to far into the game to switch now though =(<br /><br />From what I remember when I was looking it up, is that there are different types of midwives, some have gotten their accreditations through an apprentice-like program, some went to community college for theirs, and others are nurses who took post-grad courses to specialize.<br /><br />A few things about the specialty I noted on my obs/gyn rotations is that the hours are unpredictable, and often incredibly long and demanding. You have to be prepared to go 20-30 hours withought sleep or seeing family/friends/sunlight. Midwives (at least in Canada) are often not in good relationships with the nurses/doctors at the hospitals (not entirely sure why… but it seems most of the nurses/doctors on the wards cannot stand the midwives). You also have to be able to have teh insight to say “I cannot handle this, it’s time to get some specialist advice” for the sake of your client, while crushing your pride.
Pregnant women are LOVELY. I absolutely love doing prenatal clinics… women in labour…. not so lovely… and you really can’t blame them lol You will meet all kinds of women, some you won’t agree on their lifestyle/choices but you will have to suck it up and just try and educate them.
You will see heartwarming and heartbreaking moments, and you have to be able to go home, or on to the next client with a fresh head. It can be really hard sometimes.
I don’t know about insurance for midwives, but for obs/gyn it is astronomical! i’m talking into the 6 digits a year… A Lot of women need someone to blame if their child isn’t perfect, and the person who delivered the kid is often the one to take the brunt of the blame. Sometimes it is within reason (ie a c section wasn’t called soon enough, an AROM was done when it wasn’t appropriate and led to infection or a prolapsed cord etc.) but sometimes its complete nonsense, and you have to be able to deal with it emotionally, psychologically and financially.
I would see if you can shadow an obs/gyn or midwife for a day to see if you think it’s you want to do.
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MrsUPS: Hiya, what country are you living in? I just ask because midwifery in America is SO different to places like NZ (where I’m from). Here in NZ the majority of women are looked after by midwives. <br />I’m in training to become a midwife and it is the most incredible career in the world (to me). Its an incredible priviledge to be involved in a family’s life during the time of pregnancy, labour and postpartum.
You definately need to leave all judgments at the door and be doing it for the right reasons- because you want to promote and protect women, their births and their babies.
I would see if you could spend a couple of weeks with a midwife (not OBS/GYN as it’s very different) and get a feel for their role and lifestyle
MemberI don’t think I’d be very happy with a midwife who put breast feeding on the same level as exposing genitals or urinating in public.
What if the women you work with want to bf in public without a cover? Will you support their choice? Or tell them that it’s inappropriate and selfish?
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Nellop: Here in Australia, and I’m sure in the US, it is drummed into us that you put your personal opinions aside and provide the best treatment and care you can to the client. If you feel like your personal opinions are going to affect the quality of care you’re going to deliver, then you can always remove yourself from the situation (if you’ve got an understanding NUM) otherwise it is part of the nursing competency standards you are to adhere to as part of your registration. If we all thought like you, there would be no one left to take care of anyone in our hospitals, let alone mums who want to breastfeed in public.
MemberNellop: itsmeetam: My thoughts on breastfeeding would have nothing to do with my professional views. My main job is working from home, but my work stays in my office, not in my living room. I go to school, but I dont come home and tell my family about the personal cases I saw in the hospital that day. When I do my second job in the hospital, I dont come home and discuss it with my family.
itsmeetam: “it is drummed into us that you put your personal opinions aside and provide the best treatment and care you can to the client.”
You started out so good, then made it an attack on my personal views that, again, would have nothing to do with my duties as a midwife. I am not letting my children watch the births, it would be my career, there is a BIG difference.
dv3849: MsChandler: I have worked as a Doula, PRN for quite some time now and it is so easy to put my personal feelings aside when it comes down to helping deliver a new life into the world. Typically, in the states you can do an apprenticeship or go to graduate school. There is a very good medical school in my home state that has an excellent graduate program. I have already been in contact with an adivsor about shadowing some this summer while on vacation. I have to also shadow other specialties because I have to experience it all, I guess. I think some of the reason they are not held in as high regard here in the states, as in other countries, (and possibly why the doctors and nurses are not as nice to them in the hospitals you have been in) is because midwifery and other ocupations (Doula, lactation consultant, etc) are looked at as some hippie, new world, blah, blah crap instead of actual medical professionals. My SIL just gave birth to my 3rd nephew and when she mentioned she was going to a highly reputiable group of midwives she got some strange looks, however, she delivered a beautiful, healthy baby boy a little over a week ago. She had some complaints about one particular midwife, this practice switchs out midwives because you could possibly have any when delivering, but her complaints were no more than I would have had if my OB/GYN had told me the same things. The only reason I did not see a midwife during my pregnancies is because they were high risk, I did not have a choice. Thanks for you input ladies.
MemberMrsUPS: I wasn’t attacking you. I was saying that, in any case (mums who want to breastfeed, people who have done questionable things in their past, different ethnic backgrounds etc), if we all let our personal opinions get the better of us, then there wouldn’t be many people we’d treat and care for. As for breastfeeding, it doesn’t bother me; it was Nellop’s comment on it that seemed very arrogant and harsh and I was alluding to it in the last part of my comment.
Memberitsmeetam: Ahh, sorry for misunderstanding. And you are right, I am sure every medical person treats someone at some point in time that they do not agree with.
MemberMrsUPS: Have you started nursing school yet? Most of my advice assumes you have not, but you can adapt as you see fit.
My largest bit of advice to you is to get your nursing degree first- and figure out your future plans for education form there. Many areas are oversaturated with midwives, others are starving for them; some areas a midwife friendly, others make it very difficult to practice. Going to a good nursing school, and speaking with the insturctors may give you a better idea of the needs of your area. There is little use getting a degree which you will not be able to use to its full extent. I’m sure you would prefer not to have your CNM, and work as an RN in L & D.
In addition, you may find you have additional interests in nursing, or may decide you want to get a dual masters. Keep an open mind when looking at possible areas of practice. You may decide you want to be a midwife and women’s health practitioner. I noticed that you said you have a good medical school in your area, but that does not mean they are a good nursing school, or that they offer many programs etc. Medicine and nursing are two very different specialties.
Also, I’m not sure if you knew this, but soon the reguations in the US regarding nursing education will likely change. To practice as a midwife/NP you will be required to earn a DNP (Doctorate of Nursing Practice). This is unless you are grandfathered in, so be aware of that potential change.
P.S- Take “just a nurse” out of your vocabulary now. People should take pride in being nurses, not just nurses.
MemberFollydust321: I am an LPN, I have not been working as one for several years because I took a job that allowed me to work from home. I am going back in the fall to get my RN.
I am not sure about the job market in my area but it will be something to look into.
The school is MUSC and I think the midwifery program is within the top 10 in the country. I could also go to Emory.
I didn’t know about regulation changes, but that is typical.
I didn’t mean it that way, but I see your point.
MemberMrsUPS: Good for you! Sorry a lot of my advice seemed super basic, but as you know, people completely new to nursing are often really confused about what exactly nursing is. So, do you plan on going for your BSN right away, or are you going to to go for your RN and then do an RN-MSN program. There are so many options for nursing, which is so great, especially since, if I remember right, you have children. It’s nice that things are so flexible
It is typical for the regulations to change, but it does mean a longer program, and more money; which changes things a little. Luckily some schools and hospitals offer grants etc.,
I know you didn’t mean “just a nurse” negatively. Correcting that statement is just a habit from nursing school, though, as you are aware, many people in the outside world do take it that way! Best of luck to you! I plan on getting my masters/doctorate in midwifery and global health if everything works out as planned. My dream is to do international work.
MemberFollydust321: No problem! I am going to USC so I will be getting my BSN. I do have kids but I do not have to work so this will be my full time job. By the time I am ready for gradschool my youngest will be 10, so I think I will be good. The only issue is if my FI and actually follow through with having another child once we are married, but that is a bridge to cross when we get there.
While Midwifery, at this moment, seems to be the route I want to go, and I think part of that is from working as a Doula for several years now, I also have other options. That is why I am kind of glad I will be shadowing other specialties. I actually wanted to be a CRNA when I graduated way back when, but life happened. Then there is RNFA and on another end of the spectrum an ALNC.
Who knows, even though I like being a Doula, I do not handle the actual birth and before or after care of the mother. I may decide it really isnt for me. Then the whole job market, as you mentioned will be a factor too. Thanks for your advice. Good luck acheiving your dreams too!
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