I completed my apprenticeship earlier this year and am taking the NARM in February. I live is a great state for midwifery and have begun taking my own clients (preceptors will attend all my births as a second midwife for probably the first 20 births I do of my own clients) The question is what happens between my preceptors and myself? I am curious what others have done.
-Still attending births with preceptor?
-Only doing your own clients?
-Partnership?
-Getting paid as a second midwife?
-Moved to a different area?
What has been your experience both personally and what you plan to do with your apprentices?
I moved to a new area when I finished my apprenticeship and began my practice here. Had I stayed where I was, I would have likely continued to work with a preceptor of mine, attending her births as a 2nd midwife and having her do the same for me while having our own practices.
I did so for the 9 months between finishing my portfolio and receiving my certification. I still attend the occasional birth with my preceptor if she wants an experienced assistant/2nd midwife. Neither my preceptor or I were interested in a partnership... we work well together but wanted our own practices. Also, we live 2 hours apart so a partnership is just not practical.
-Getting paid as a second midwife?
I do get paid, about 10-15% of the birth fee.
-Moved to a different area?
No, but as I said, we already live 2 hours away from each other!
In the "flux period" I mentioned above, my preceptor attended my client's births as 2nd mw and I would attend hers as 2nd mw. I also attended births with a couple of other midwives on a somewhat regular basis.
Since becoming certified, I accept clients on my own... if I expect to need an experienced 2nd, I ask my former preceptor to assist me. And I still get a lot of opportunities to attend births as 2nd midwife with some other midwives which I view as a great opportunity.
I foresee a solo practice along with attending births as 2nd for many years to come. As for apprentices, I don't foresee myself taking on an apprentice any time soon, I really want to grow into my practice first. I do however have another midwife's apprentice who will be assisting at a few births.
Thanks guys. It has been an awkward transition but I am making the most of it. Still attending lots of births with other midwives.
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