Does Baystate Provide Housing for its Midwifery Students?
What if I'm Not a Nurse?
What if I'm a Nurse but I Don't Have a Bachelor's Degree?
What if I haven't been able to get labor & delivery experience?
Does Baystate Provide Housing for its Midwifery Students?
Baystate Medical Center does not have dormitory facilities for any of its students. The campus is convenient to public transportation with various residential communities within commuting distance.
Return to top
What if I'm Not a Nurse?
Becoming a nurse is required. One option is to attend a two year nursing program, either an associate's degree program or one of the many second bachelor's degree programs, and then attend one of the accredited midwifery/nurse-midwifery education programs. For example, the University of Massachusetts has an 18 month "second degree" program for people who already have a bachelor's to obtain a BSN. Another option would be to apply to one of the several programs that combine nursing and midwifery, such as Yale, Vanderbilt, University of Pennsylvania or Columbia.
All American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) accredited nurse-midwifery programs require a bachelor's degree.
Return to top
What if I'm a Nurse but I Don't Have a Bachelor's Degree?
Individuals who are registered nurses, but do not have a bachelor's degree, may become certified nurse-midwives by completing either a BSN or a bachelor's in another field, then attending an accredited nurse-midwifery education programs such as Baystate Medical Center Midwifery Education Program. Some accredited midwifery/nurse-midwifery programs are in schools of nursing that offer bridge programs to facilitate progression through the bachelor's degree in nursing to midwifery and the master's degree.
Return to top
What if I haven't been able to get labor & delivery experience?
Due to changes in the health care system and hospital downsizing, there are many RNs who are interested in becoming midwives but have been unable to obtain labor and delivery nursing experience. The Baystate Medical Center Midwifery Program self-study guidelines offer the opportunity for these individuals to reach their goal. If you are highly motivated and otherwise qualified, you may design a self-study component which would enable you to apply to our Program. If you are accepted, this component would need to be completed prior to the start of the Program.
Guidelines for Labor & Delivery Experience
You must be able to document the following:
-
Basic fetal monitoring course - Completion of a CEU or hospital course (minimum 8 hours).
-
Labor support experience - Your presence as a support person at five labors and births (including immediate postpartum period); must include a combination of primiparas and multiparas.
-
Competency in common labor and delivery procedures - IV insertion, medication administration, catheterization, external fetal monitor placement.
-
Completion of a childbirth education series.
-
Observation of a nurse on a labor and delivery unit - 40 hours if you have not worked in a hospital; varied time requirements for those with hospital experience.
To discuss the labor and delivery experience guidelines and your specific requirements, please call Barbara Graves, CNM, MN, MPH, Program Director, at (413)794-4448.
Return to top
