Thursday, July 26, 2007

And I thought I was frustrated yesterday...

I'm really fucking pissed off right now. As you can see I am not always touchy-feely. Sometimes I am. But not right now. It's that whole Gemini thing - litte touch of dual personalities.

I hate to even bitch about this after looking at Billybob's blog , but what the hell.

So since I am a new midwife naturally I am job-hunting. I initially was planning to re-locate elsewhere since all the jobs where I live ask for experience only - and there ain't a lot of jobs at that in this area. So I get job offers in other states but then decide we are too broke to re-locate at this time, nor do we really want to. After all we haven't even been here a year yet! Now I can't find a damn job...I started applying for Nurse Practitioner jobs in OB/GYN offices in the hopes of creating some opportunity. No such luck - had an interview at one place which sounded really really really promising...then after stringing me along for two weeks, emailed me today and said thanks but no thanks...but good luck! I'm so bummed cause I thought this would be a really good fit for me. Had another interview which didn't sound real promising - they just want another mid-level provider to do gyn work. The third option I have been holding on to is another practice who is looking for a midwife. But I applied for it a month ago - they have assured me that I am at the top of their list...so what the hell are we waiting on????

So I have a job - I teach nursing students. Fun but not what I want to do forever and forever. Unless they let me start catching their babies during clinicals. Humm...
Anyway, I'm wondering, did I waste my time becoming a midwife? I know I love it and its what I really want to do but crud - just can't do a move now to be one. So perhaps my next step will be to go back to school part-time to complete the FNP program (for which there are jobs) while continuing to teach my little nurslings.

On the lighter side of things - I got my state license to practice as a midwife and am sending off the application (and more money) to the board of nursing (black hole) for prescriptive authority. So when I get my non-existent job I can the write prescriptions on my non-existent practice scrip pad. Fun.

7 comments:

AtYourCervix said...

You could apply at state and federally funded public health clinics/prenatal clinics. I was already offered a job at one as a CNM, and I'm not even in school yet!!

They also help you with your tuition reimbursement from school, if you work in clinics that are in "high need" areas.

BillyBob said...

Geez, I got the impression that there's a shortage of all kinds of health care professionals. Nurses especially, but midwives, doctors, maybe it's just Denver. Don't blame you for being pissed , though.

Ciarin said...

Thanks At your cervix - I have actually just sent off my resume for some IHS positions...would mean a commute of 2-5 hours depending on the facility. But could be doable.

Billybob, it sucks to be a midwife in Arizona. Too many midwives and not enough jobs :p If I was looking for a nursing position it wouldn't be a problem - there are tons of those. The situation for midwives differs from place to place.

Midlife Midwife said...

Don't give up. Keep looking. It took me over six months to find my new job here (located on the edge of sanity) IHS is a good place to midwife.

Ciarin said...

Yeah, I did my clinicals in an IHS facility - loved it - loved working with Native American women. They are awesome. I have to say I got spoiled by those 10 minute second stages!

Thank you for the words of encouragement...I haven't completely give up...still a couple possibilities to keep my hope alive.

minority midwife said...

I just want to say thank you for posting about this issue! I can't find many first hand accounts on the web of new CNMs looking for jobs.

How did you get a teaching position with no baby catching experience?

Please continue to post the ups and downs of life as newly graduated CNM!

Ciarin said...

I am teaching in an associate nursing program.

It's tough in some areas - we were planning to re-locate but that is too expensive an option right now.