[Spring Sun]

I am not sure where to even start, but I do need some help from you ladies if you have a minute to spare!

I have been researching midwifery programs forever. I am now ready to enter. But, I am getting so confused now. It seems like there are a lot more midwifery schools out there than even a year ago. Maybe they are just online now. It seems a lot of them will not end in me being certified, though, is that right?

Here is my dilemma, though. We are moving to New Zealand next year. It is really up to us when we move. We were planning December, but can go later if needed.

There is a shortage of midwives there, and their main model of care for pregnancy is midwifery. But...the programs are almost $14,000/year US! That is how much it would cost to be a direct entry midwife in the states-total.

So, where do I even start? Could I begin training here and zoom through the academic work? Do you know of a distance program that would allow me to go quickly through the academic work? I have a photographic memory, so papers, tests, projects, etc...are very easy and quick for me (and I retain the knowledge as well).

I don't even know where to start looking or asking around.

Any help on the good distance schools in the US would be helpful. I remembering almost doing this one two years ago.

Any other suggestions? Any help is much appreciated! Advice is much-wanted, too!

Thank you!

 

[MidwifeErika]

Are you planning on staying in New Zealand and practicing there? If so, I think I would wait and apply to their program. It would be much more straightforward than trying to do a US program and then somehow trying to get your experience accepted there.

 

[Spring Sun]

I agree, it would be easier. Plus, since it is actually a BA in midwifery, and I will have to attend 40 births before graduating, it looks like I would qualify to become a midwife here.

We are not sure how much we are going to love it there. We are committed to three years, but are hoping we will love it. Otherwise, we will want to come back for a couple years, then move out of the country again and so on. I have thought a lot about it this afternoon, and I am thinking it is better to do the program in NZ, it is just three times the cost!

I wish it were all simple.

 

[MidwifeErika]

The degree coming from New Zealand would also give you greater flexibility in practicing in more locations than an education from the US.

If you were looking at becoming a CPM in America and then transferring, the fastest you can possibly go to become a CPM is 12 months to apply and then you would be waiting at least another 6 months to take the exam, so 18 months. I don't actually know anyone who has finished this fast. It would be hard and likely expensive to get the clinical experience you need so quickly. And then when you would move to New Zealand, you would have to apply to their program to transfer over internationally trained midwives and likely have to take some classes anyhow to fulfill any missing requirements (and there would be some.... there the midwives work in hospitals and prescribe medications). You would also run the risk of them deciding your experience isn't even close to enough and deciding that you need to completely redo schooling anyhow. I wouldn't want to take the chance of spending so much money and time trying to get an education here just with the chance you would have to repeat it all over there anyhow.