Terrence Said:

midwife nursing career?

We Answered:

You can be a regular RN and work in any OB/L&D/maternal-newborn unit. Many prefer to hire RNs who have some kind of work experience in a hospital, it's hard to get in as a brand new grad. I would suggest a regular med/surg unit for at least a year, then start applying internally for positions in the birthing areas. If you decide you want to become a Certified Nurse Midwife, you need L&D experience for at least a year, then, by the time you're ready to go to a midwifery program you're going to need a Doctorate of Nursing Practice, because the standards of minimum education change in 2015 so all new CNMs need a doctorate, not just a masters. Some programs are BSN to DNP bridge which eliminate a year's worth of the MSN level courses. Otherwise you would need to earn an MSN in some other focus before going on to a DNP program.

As for working in L&D as a regular staff nurse, you will find yourself essentially managing the whole labor for the patient. The doctors give you orders which you carry out, but you are the one making frequent assessment of the mother and the baby. You use a tremendous amount of critical thinking, and it can be thought of as a critical care environment because a baby in distress can happen quickly and without warning and it can become life threatening in an instant. Women can bleed out rapidly. Sometimes you end up delivering babies if the doctor doesn't make it there in time, but hopefully that's rare as it's a huge liability if something goes wrong.

Don't get me wrong, working in a the birthing unit is mostly a happy, beautiful job. But it is not without the moments of crisis and babies born prematurely or stillborn, etc. It can be emotionally rewarding but taxing as well.

Even in the postpartum area, women can be sick after delivery, babies can need special attention, women can be anxious and demand a lot of your time and attention.

All in all I love what I do or I wouldn't do it. I went into nursing school with the ultimate intent on becoming a midwife too. I have worked in L&D and high risk antepartum and maternal newborn and parent education now for several years and quickly discovered I did not want the heavy responsibility of the CNM. I prefer doing the direct patient care at the bedside in the role I am in.

Good luck!

Melinda Said:

What medical staff is in the delivery room? The doctor, a midwife, a nurse? This is in reference to my career.

We Answered:

In my hospital we have the following attending:

Obstetrician/Gynecology
Obstetrician/Gynecologist (Assist if a C-section)
Anesthesiologist
Circulation Registered Nurse
Registered Nurse (Assist)
Surgical Tech (Hands appliances to surgeon, amongst other duties)
Neonatal Registered Nurse (If high risk delivery)
Neonatal Respiratory Therapist (If high risk delivery)
Neonatalogist (If infant is projected to be less than 1kg)

Tina Said:

How do I go about becoming an OB (labor and delivery) nurse? What about a certified nurse midwife?

We Answered:

YOu would need either an an associates or a bachelors degree from a NURSING program that allows you to take the NCLEX exam and become a RN; you would then get hired on a L & D floor. To become a midwife, you would work in L&D for a few years and then apply to a masters level (for now) nurse midwifery program.

Jenny Said:

How to train to become a nurse or midwife?

We Answered:

you can either do the degree or the diploma.. both are 3 years, but i would suggest the degree..
you should do some research into what university you would like to study at.. then apply through UCAS.. you can choose up to five places to study at..
also go to the open days as you find out a lot from these...

Im not sure about midwifery tho but i do know it is more competitive