Yes, I admit it. I'm a blog virgin. I have only recently started looking at blogs and frankly, I like the idea. What better than a website devoted to me and anything I chose to talk about! You can't beat that :) As I always say...it's all about me!
You're probably getting that I am a Gemini by now.
So anyway, I guess I shall start out with a little about me.
I just recently grew up...meaning I have finally achieved my dream of becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife. *break into the Snoopy dance*
I am an alumni of Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing (FSMFN), which is located in the mountains of Kentucky. Frontier is a distance education program where classwork is online and the clinical component is done in your local community. I consider myself fortunate to be part of such a historical midwifery landmark. As time goes by I will share some of the trials and tribulations of surviving midwifery school!
I was living in South Carolina with my husband and children (ages 12, 7, 4) when I embarked on this crazy, and at times tearful, journey. School has had such a huge impact on my life...it has been detrimental to my physical and emotional health, placed huge strains on my family...ok, did someone bring the cheese to go with my whine? I started nursing school in 1999. I decided to quit screwing around and wasting my potential (like all those guidance counselors tell you). At this point I had one son, who is a great kid with special needs. When I started nursing school I had no idea about being a L&D nurse, let alone a midwife. I kinda suspected maybe I would like obstetrics but wasn't really sure.
When I finally got to my OB rotation in nursing school I was in love. The experience that stands out in my mind was a patient who was having her second baby naturally. She was about 4cms and breathing beautifully through her contractions. I didn't know what to do with her and the nurse I was assigned to apparently felt that ignoring the patient was the best option in providing care. The woman sat on the bed in a zen-like position, with her eyes closed, breathing. I remember thinking how amazing she looked. How graceful. My next thought was "is she f***kin nuts??!! Where's the epidural????".
Yeah, okay, I wasn't enlightened yet.
So the experience decided it for me...as a nursing student I didn't like the whole 'sick people' thing. I much rather preferred the 'happy' environment of OB. Everyone is always happy and nothing bad ever happens...cue the Sound of Music...uh, so it wasn't realistic. I learned that soon enough. So during nursing school I learned about doulas, midwives (of varying kinds), and started contemplating the possibilities. During this time I also had another baby (baby girl who is now 7 going on 17).
Well...I want to keep you in suspense for the next installment...stay right there until my next post...I know you will :)
6 comments:
wohoo! Love Frontier...gotta love Mary don't you?
Are you talking about Mary Nichols???? No Comment!!!!!!
Hi Ciarin-
I am planning on applying to Frontier for NMW soon--I would love to talk to you about the program. What's the best way to contact you?
Jen
My email address actually includes my identity, which I would like to remain reasonably anonymous. So if you would like to contact me, post your email address and I will email you :)
Ciarin-
My email includes my id too, so I'll just ask you a couple of questions here :) How many hours a week did you work while you were in the program? Did you work in L&D prior to finishing Frontier? Frontier seems like a comprehensive, holistic program. Would you agree? Thanks, Jen :)
Jen,
Until I reached level 4 I worked full-time (about 48 hours/week - 36 on L&D and 12 as a clinical nursing instructor). It's doable but also very time consuming. I had very little time for my family. In fact, to be honest, graduate school (among other things)almost killed my marriage. Once I hit level 4 I dropped down to 24-30 hours a week and did about 30 hours a week of clinicals.
As I mentioned, yes I worked as L&D nurse for about 4 years.
Yes, I do believe it is a very holistic program. Frontier will teach you how to be a midwife, not a medwife. I also truly believe that Iwas very well prepared to practice safely when I graduated.
If you wish to contact me or ask further questions here is an email addy you can use... lady_ravine@yahoo.com
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