CPM certification nitty-gritty

[Defenestrator]

I have been practicing as a midwife for about two and half years in Michigan, where the CPM is not required for practice. I have wanted to get the certification, though, for a while and finally think I might get it together for the next deadline (in 10 days

I had a couple of questions for those who have been through this before -- I have a sort of midwife partner now who has seen me perform quite a lot of skills in the 30 or so births we have been to together, plus all of the prenatals and postnatals together. Is it going to look really bad if she signs all of my skills (she is also the most available to me, timewise to go over my portfolio) with relatively recent dates? I have been in apprenticeship or practicing on my own since the beginning of 2003. When I look at my portfolio, it seems like I have been in training for almost 5 years, but didn't learn anything until just now We have been working together for about 18 months.

Also, do you know how firm they are on deadlines? I have a few records to track down and one of my preceptors is out of town. They say that the application needs to be in by Oct. 10 for a February test date or 4 months before conference. There is a June conference in Mexico. I wonder if that counts? I wouldn't mind going there.

I think I might call them tomorrow.

Any further words of wisdom? I opened up the application for the first time in a couple of months and almost fainted. I definitely have finished the work, but the paperwork might kill me!

[KLPeanut]

I just went through that process for the NARM exam in Florida. I was a student so it might be a bit different than the apprenticeship route. My advise would be to get the application in by the deadline. I believe it needs to be postmarked by the date. they will contact you for any missing information. If your partner is the one you are working with she would know your skills.

Definitely email them. They were very helpful with answering questions. As far as I know they only give the exam (if we are talking about NARM) 3x a year. August, October (at the NARM conference) and February.

Good luck

[JunipersMom]

NARM has specific rules about who can sign off on what etc.. you will need someone who is NARM certified to give you the skills test - and that person can not be the one who signs off on your skills worksheets. You should be able to find out all the specifics in your NARM pack. And I didnt test the firmness on dates, but I'm assuming they will be slightly flexible.
The pep process is ALOT of paperwork, ALOT of signatures, ALOT of copies... but a great option for your CPM unless you want to start over with an accredited school
Feel free to contact me and I call pull out all my NARM stuff and help you out.

[Defenestrator]

I emailed them. They are going to let me send in the CPR cert later. I think I might be able to get the rest of it done on time. The paperwork is totally crazy.

[Defenestrator]

An update:

I mailed my packet off yesterday by the due date, at about 6:58 pm (post office closes at 7). So, now I hope that it is accepted -- I am not sure I filled out everything entirely correctly, but I did my best.

It took me about 30 hours to do, and my friend Kate the midwife spent about 10 hours going through the portfolio with me. I am whipped! I also owe Kate big time.

I had documented everything I did, but I wish that I had my preceptors sign off on things in the moment instead of when I turned in the application. It would have been a lot faster. I plan on meeting with my apprentices every three months from now on to sign off on their skills. Much easier.

I was also shocked I had either done or witnessed everything in the packet! When I started out I'm not sure I knew what a lot of it was It felt kind of nostalgic to revisit all of that work.

It's been six years since I started birthwork. Seems like a long time, but probably won't when I'm an old lady (that'll be, umm, next week I think) and have been catching my clients' grandchildren.

Can't wait for the test!

[KLPeanut]

Congratulations. What a relief. I believe that if you are missing something they will send you a letter just asking for it. The important thing was getting the application mailed on time.

I think I cried at each step of the process.

[rnchrista]

Originally Posted by Defenestrator

An update:

I mailed my packet off yesterday by the due date, at about 6:58 pm (post office closes at 7). So, now I hope that it is accepted -- I am not sure I filled out everything entirely correctly, but I did my best.

So, when do you want to go out and celebrate? I am always up for a party, and I think a shot of tequilla will help my eye feel better...or maybe a couple shots

[Defenestrator]

Let's do it! We should gather the usual suspects and go -- besides, we don't want your husband to get too used to having you around I should come and kidnap you in the middle of the night so you stay in practice.

[time4another]

I wish I lived in MI....:

I love tequilla....

[JunipersMom]

I was just thinking - I live on the wrong side of the state!

[Peppamint]

Just subbing because it's fun watching those ahead of me in the journey. GL!

[courtenay_e]

HEY, I'M on the right side of the state!!...'Course I'm on call for a birth in Capac, so I'd only be able to smell it (I'm a lightweight, what can I say?...), or with my luck the mama would go into labor as soon as I swallowed the shot...though I'd probably take mine in the form of a margarita. Ahhhh, instead, I'm here on the couch with a sleeping croupy boy in my lap. Enjoy the tequila, friends!

[courtenay_e]

Oh, and Stacia, I got it in the mail today...it'll go out Monday, barring that mama going into labor this weekend (and for her sake, actually, I'm really praying she does!)!