Economical midwife education - Page 2

[learningmidwife]

Ive been looking at schools as well and so far I like two online course MammaPrimitiva.com which is a 3yr school and you ( pay 105$ every 3 months ) and I love that all the funding goes back to into the birth center there, I also like Midwifery Institue Of America (very self directed and cost a little under 900$) and its a 2 years course.... I also was looking at AAMI for the Explore Midwifery Course.....Also I plan to take the Hearts and Hands Midwifery distance classes for around 1300$ ( I love her book Hearts & Hands) Im going think hard over these 2 school and make a decison by the end of the month. Im in Michigan and DEM are allowed to practice and of course CPM.... im still undecied on my path (leaning towards CPM) I must say reading these threads has been helpful to me learning my way on my midwifery path. Best wishes to all of you ladies.

[SarahWeimar]

@Wild Doula,

how do you like National College of Midwifery? Any concerns with their academic offerings? Though I can't start until a few years from now, I am looking for a strong educational foundation (that I could still afford) and NCM seems to be the best I've found, so far. I've heard fantastic things about AAMI from grads, but NCM is MEAC accredited. I know that's not everything, but it is slightly comforting to know that certain details are taken care of. I've read that NCM students feel pretty isolated, as there aren't study groups per region, etc. How is this working out for you?

[WildDoula]

Well, I've actually decided to go with AAMI since I've last posted. 

Mainly came to this decision because of the reviews, the support available (study groups, etc.), and the ability to start NOW since they offer a payment plan. NCM requires the full fee upfront, and that was going to put way more stress on us financially than just doing monthly payments.

I wanted the MEAC schooling for the peace of find as well, but looking at the academics online, I felt they weren't as in depth as I would have liked, and too much like "read the book, answer the question" instead of researching more and having to develop some critical thinking. I don't know, that might just be my impression of it.

I haven't enrolled yet, I'm planning on going through all the little intro courses they offer first just to be sure I want to commit to this school. But I'm pretty convinced this will be a better fit.

ETA: I just realized how wishy-washy I sound in this thread! Goodness.  It's been difficult for me to choose a school, as you can tell, since education is always changing and growing, and as I'm learning what type of midwife I ultimately hope to become. Also, as life changes, plans change. So I'm learning to be flexible, and am trying to find a school that fits my learning style, along with giving the needed flexibility.

[SarahWeimar]

@Wild Doula, you cam PM me if you want, but I'm really curious about AAMI. I know some grads of that school and they really raved about it. I'm starting to wonder if I should look into their Introductions to Midwifery. Hmm.

[starrlamia]

Wild Doula have you looked into NMI? its a bit more pricey but part of the fee includes preceptor fees, its an MEAC school.

[hayhayjarsmom]

National College of Midwifery is MEAC accredited and the price is $4900. Preceptor fees are separate, but the student and preceptor(s) negotiate that between them. You may want to check it out because it's not much more expensive than AAMI. www.midwiferycollege.org

[Rachel H]

Originally Posted by WildDoula 

kharma: Apprenticeship is generally done in your own community. Start making connections with the midwives in your area and let them know who you are and that you're interested in midwifery. Attend a doula training if you can, and join any student midwife circles/study groups you can find in your state. Immerse yourself in your birth community if that is what you want to do. Make yourself known and opportunities will come. Some schools do offer apprenticeship placements, Midwife-To-Be does not.

On a side note, I have since discontinued the program and am enrolling in the National College of Midwifery.  I found MTB didn't provide enough depth and direction for me.

Have you actually started with NCoM yet? I am curious for a review on it. I am in an apprenticeship currently. I have been doing AAMI and MTB for quite awhile. Trying to use each to fill small gaps I find on certain topics.

[Rachel H]

I keep going back and forth myself on changing to a MEAC school just because I do plan to take the NARM exam.

[SarahWeimar]

This might be an ignorant question but what is the advantage of having a MEAC accredited education? Is it mostly for regulation purposes (knowing that a program met certain standards) and gauging academic strength? And what of schools like AAMI, which profess higher competency than what MEAC requires? If we "graduate" from our programs and apprenticeships and are able to pass the NARM and become certified, fully educated, critically thinking midwives, does it entirely matter whether the program was accredited or not? Any professionals want to weigh in here?

[Rachel H]

If you graduate from a MEAC school, you don't have to complete the PEP process for NARM. If you go look up the requirements to take the NARM exam, you will see what I mean. There are links to look over the actual packet. And yes, it also has to do with regulations. Some states require it for licensing.

[SarahWeimar]

Originally Posted by Rachel H 

If you graduate from a MEAC school, you don't have to complete the PEP process for NARM. If you go look up the requirements to take the NARM exam, you will see what I mean. There are links to look over the actual packet. And yes, it also has to do with regulations. Some states require it for licensing.

Thank you for this info! I have downloaded the NARM's hefty brochure (more like a book) on requirements and such. It's robust. I think it has answered all of my questions as to requirements, etc. I'm signing up for an herbal educator course in April and going to The Farm in June. :) Ready to get this ball rolling!

[thaidyed]

Bump
Would love to hear where you ladies are now. I have a fabulous and challenging opportunity to move countries and learn full time at a high volume birth center that NARM recognizes in a few months. I'm seriously debating what course to do as a complement to it. I really think MEAC accreditation is a good thing so as to avoid yet another hoop to jump through (PEP).

[phathui5]

Big changes for our family since I posted on the thread last year!

We moved across the country to Oregon and I've been in an apprenticeship for almost a year. We also had another baby.

[BirthIsAwesome]

If anyone wants to know more about AAMi, I'm open to PM's :) FTR, I really love it, but felt that I didn't know much about it when I enrolled, so I took it on faith from a friend's rec. If you are feeling the same way, I'm more than happy to tell you more about how the program is structured, etc.

[mwherbs]

Becoming a CNM you may be able to get grants and aid as others have talked about.


As fo programs for ooh there is this one that Sharon Evans is involved with i found it while looking into this for my friend who will be my student soon.


http://www.viavitamidwiferyschool.org/tuition.html

[Lynsahm]

I am in my second year with AAMI. I completed the "orientation" portion right on schedule. Now the intensive, never ending research begins! I am participating in the additional modules and am very challenged.

I finally took a doula training through BAI this past spring. No apprenticeship on the horizon. I am still home with my toddler.:-)

[hjarboe]

Originally Posted by WildDoula 

I'm doing the Midwife To Be online program. I think it's great so far, and it is very affordable. You pay $50 to get started (plus a few books) and then $25 per unit after that. It comes out to about $800 when you graduate. I liked that it wasn't a lot up front, so that if you find you don't like it, you can move on to another program without being out hundreds or thousands. The pay per unit also is super helpful. The goal of the program is one unit per month, and almost anyone can afford $25 dollars a month plus a few dollars for the next books you'll need.

It isn't MEAC accredited, so you would have to apprentice along with it, and it is really designed for that. It is pretty much all of the "academics" you'll need, you just need to find your own "clinical" aspect of the training. I think The Farm could provide some valuable experience, I was actually looking at doing their midwife assistant training in November, just to get some hands on since I am not currently apprenticing. Couple that with your online academics and a great apprenticeship and you'd have one rockin' education, IMO.

Wild Doula,
Have you completed with MTB? How far along are you? I'm very interested in this.
Thanks!

[WildDoula]

hjarboe: I haven't complete MTB, I'm still in the beginning stages actually! Sorry i can't be of more help. :) 

I'm loving AAMI right now! All of the extras that come with enrollment are so valuable, and it is set up to help you in your future practice, instead of working for years on something that you'll never look back on. Tuition is going up in January I believe, so if any of you are thinking of making the leap, now is the time!

[thankyou2]

Originally Posted by Rachel H 

If you graduate from a MEAC school, you don't have to complete the PEP process for NARM. If you go look up the requirements to take the NARM exam, you will see what I mean. There are links to look over the actual packet. And yes, it also has to do with regulations. Some states require it for licensing.

Aren't there some states that exempt from this? Like Texas for example: I am not in a MEAC program, but because my program is approved by the state board, once we graduate, we are not required to fulfill PEP. All our requirements are met thru our program & our state uses NARM as its state licensing test....., i apologize if that was confusing! I am trying to think of the official name for this....