Nursing/Midwifery students (or wannabes LOL)....

[Lil_Pearl]

Kelly, I just checked out the info on Denise Love...yes, she's obviously around now! lol. I believe during the time I was finding a doula for my daughters birth, she was selling a large portion of her business to Renee Adair (the one who was going to be my doula), but Denise seems to be running more of the show now. Good!

Yeah, Capers is very expensive, but I do like it...I love recieving my catelogue...and I've got that 10% discount thing going, so it has its perks. I hadn't heard of Seek books, shall check it out, thanks. Have given up on ebay, as every time I've looked in their book section, they've only had very general pregnancy/birth books (the good ones probably go very quickly and I don't get in fast enough).

Trish...no prob. Yes, it's great to pay as you go..and there is no deposit, I just payed on-line and recieved all my stuff for the first module within days So, all up, the course is $880, or a one-off of $800 if you choose to pay that way. It's great, as I've worked at my own pace, which has allowed me to study even w/ a new baby...and during our move, I had a two-month break to concentrate on everything else, which was great. Also, there are tutors available by phone and on-line (in fact, the founder of the Melbourne Doula Network (which is very new) is a tutor for Optimum Birth, so it's a well-known and respected course (I don't trust courses until I look into them, of course...and after asking a million questions, and talking w/ Dr. Vose, it all sounded great). Dr. Vose is a brilliant woman, who is more than happy to have in-depth discussions about anything you bring up...and I love to write, so email is ideal for me. So, yeah....give her an email (and tell her I sent you.lol), and if you choose to go w/ Optimum Birth, as I said, you'd be starting immediatly, which is very exciting!!

[Antheia]

Trish - I emailed Birth Central and got a reply, so maybe the email never made it? I have the info pack, if you want me to email it to you?

I wish there was a course in Newcastle, because i'd love to go to a class to do it.

when it comes time to go to the births that you need to before completing the course, where do you find the pregnant women? The only place i know is bellybelly, lol. But is there any other place i can find them?

[Lisa76]

WOW.... all this stuff is great.

Tegan...I would love a copy of the brochure as well if you wouldn't mind. You could email me at nixon_6@bigpond.net.au

Liana....What does starting your own doula business involve. I had honestly never heard of a doula until i joined bellybelly so I am wondering if there are any in SA. If there are they must all be hiding as I have had 4 babies I would have thought if there were any around that I would have heard of them. What does a doula actually do and area there any insurance nightmares, If a person hires a doula do they still have a midwife and have baby in hospital, does a doula work with the hospital, are they employed by the hospital???? Ohhh now im all confused :eek:

[allyfield]

Tegan,

I would love a copy of the brochure too.

Thanks

[Trish]

Tegan, Iwould a copy of that if you don't mind. Thanks heaps for that hun

Liana, that sounds fantastic. I like the idea of being able to study at home and fingers crossed I would be able to find ample time for it. My only worry is that after doing it, is there enough work out there. I mean are Doula's really used that much in the general community. I don't want to spend the time and of course the money if there is no work available to me. Maybe thats just my partner talking. I have spoken to him abbout it and he doesn't think there is a real need for Doula's out there. But then again he didn't see the need for a private midwife or a homebirth when we could have one in hospital for nothing.. Men!! LOL.

[Lisa76]

Trish....I have the same worry, would there be any work out there for doulas. I just looked up the doulas in SA and there is only ONE!!! i have just emailed her to ask about her experience of being a doula. Being a doula sounds fantastic but one income and 4 children just isn't working for us so I need to be in a paying job.

Kelly....I hear what your saying about kid free days. I have 3 days a week at Uni and I love the contact with other people in the same position as me and being kid free for a while. I love my kids but every parent needs a bit of time out.
Are there any particular doula courses that you recommend? I have looked up birthcentral but its not good as I live in SA and I looked up otimumbirth and their course sounds perfect for me. Are any of the courses better than others or any to avoid?

Lea....If you are going to apply to sit the STAT test I have a couple of the sample question books. You could borrow them and have a look through if you like. It will help you to prepare.

Mother Goose....did you have to do a journal entry on Religion for Society and Culture? I am well and truly stuck. The question i have to answer is " What are the major sociological perspectives concerning religion as a social insitution?" WTF??? I can't find anything on sociological perspectives let alone the major ones, not even on wikipedia and EVERYTHING is in wikipedia????

[Mother Goose]

Hi Lisa, nope didn't have to do it. But break the Q down.

Sociological perspectives
Religion as a Social institution

How does society perceive relgion? - sociological persperctives
What ARE sociological perspectives?
How is religion considered a social institution? - Religion as a Social institution
How does religion impact on society?
How do people intergrate religious society and "general" society?
Focus on things like homosexuality, contraception, marriage, sexual relations, abortion (all things relgion usually has a different opinion about than wider society)
Talk about the reaction of society to things like homosexuality (for example) compared to the reaction of the church.

I found the text books useless in this subject. Use the Uni database instead. Did a quick search using "social Perspectives" and "Religion" on academic search elite and these were some of the results. Included are some books you might be able to borrow at the library if you are able to get there. Also try your local library for stuff, I found they normally have a bit.

Page 35 of "Society and Culture: A sociological introduction to contemporary Australia 2nd Ed" has stuff on the theoretical perspectives which will help - I assume this is still the standard text? Can't believe I still have it!Chapter 20 of Sociology Australian Connections 2nd Ed (Jureidini and Poole) also covers religion in society.

Race, Religion, and Caste: Anthropological and Sociological Perspectives.
Source: Comparative Sociology (1569-1322); Volume: 1; Issue: 2; Date: 2002

CATHOLICS IN ENGLAND 1950-2000: HISTORICAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES (Book). By: O'Leary, Richard. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, Mar2001, Vol. 40 Issue 1, p138-139, 2p; (AN 14266507)

Religion in Australia: Sociological Perspectives (Book). By: Bouma, Gary D.; Bouma, Donald H.. Review of Religious Research, Sep93, Vol. 35 Issue 1, p86-87, 2p; (AN 11062113)

Religious Change and Continuity: Sociological Perspectives (Book). By: Roof, Wade Clark. Social Forces, Dec80, Vol. 59 Issue 2, p552-553, 2p; (AN 5281398)
PDF Full Text (124K)

Good luck! When's it due?

[BellyBelly]

Not only are Seek Books cheaper, it is also an affiliate of BellyBelly, so if you make purchases via the link in the directory, we get a small percent of sales, but the main thing is they are cheap and have a massive range.

Renee did buy it from Denise I think.

If anyone is looking for a Doula, you can check out our Doula Locator - check the link at the top of these forums, or you can email me if you can't find anyone and I will get names through word of mouth.

There's never been a better time to become a Doula when the system is not great, plus lots of publicity is starting to prop up. Coles Baby interviewed me for their spring edition which is a 500 word story. Coles Baby is the most widely distributed parenting mag I think they said. Also I am doing an article of similar length for the Nappy Bag Book - so lots of publicity to come. I am working really hard to promote Birth Support in the industry... it WILL grow.

As one midwife confided in me, she felt that, 'the way things are going, if you want support during labour in hospitals, you'll have to pay for your own...' I also spoke to an influential person in the birth & MCH industry this week who also said even birth centres are turning into simply low-risk maternity units - she is seeing lots of changes with birth centres too.

We need to infiltrate the system full of people passionate to make change. Power in numbers.

[Lil_Pearl]

Lisa76 - starting your own doula business means registering a business name (in most cases, probably.lol), and getting the word out there, by advertising in magazines, on the net, in bith centres/hospitals/family health clinics/libraries/wherever, really! You have to have all business stuff set up for tax purposes, etc, of course, and you must abide by the regulations of being a doula (I'm a bit scattered...just found out my sister is expecting her first child, and I'm all excited!! You find your own clients, and arrange for them to interview you, and then arrange pre-natal catch-ups, where you help them organise a birth plan and get to know them, as well as offer any informational support they may want (such as if they want a water birth, you could loan them books/D.V.D's on that). (ah, all jittery with excitement!!) where was I?..... A doula does not perform anything medical (it is completely against the law, as a doula has no medical training....also, even if she is otherwise trained asa midwife or other health-care-professional, she is only allowed to act as a doula if hired as such). So, yes, a doula is an extra support person, there to help the mother in any physical/emotional and informational way, without doing anything medical, and without offering personal opinion. It doesn't matter what the doulas beliefs are, she is there to help you achieve the birth YOU want, and to offe nothing but kind-hearted support. A doula is also there to help any other support people through the birth. Husbands/sisters/mothers/friend may fear the fact that their loved-one is in pain, and sway them into intervention they may not really want or need. A doula, understanding the reasons behind the pain of childbirth, and having whitnessed/and understanding the normal physiology of labour can help keep the room a calm, peaceful and happy place...and therefore aid the natural progression of labour, as the mother has that space to just "go within" and "go with the flow", and endorphins can do their thing, etc. Doulas are not employed by the hospitals, they are currently hired privetly by the individual. Any other questions, don't hesitate to ask! Oh, and insurance is not a worry, as doulas do not perform any medical task - they are purely there to assist the mother in natural ways, and as long as they don't cross the boundaries of their roll, all is good. To date, no doula has been taken to court.


Trish - lol! Is there a need - Yes! Just as much need as there is for independent midwives and home births....if we want to cut the terrible intervention rate (the casarean rate is 50% in some hospitals!!), women need access to people like doulas, who drop intervention rates dramatically....I could get the numbers for you, if you like...don't have them at hand. Having recently birthed in Sydney, I found doulas to be VERY popular there, but far less known of here in Melbourne (where the word is really beginning to get out there, though). As far as work goes, one must be extremely passionate about the work of the doula to become one, as one can't make a bucket-load from it, and most women just have 1-2 clients a month at most (or less if they are busy with a young family themselves). Due to the nature of the job, there is always the risk of women going into labour at the same time, or women needing you at their three-day birth journey (which, no doubt would leave anyone feeling drained). If you have the passion though, becoming a doula and having the honor to assist a woman during this time, must be one of the most rewarding roles there is!

[BellyBelly]

Here's some more info and Doula stories: Answering an Ancient Call: Supporting Women in Labour.

[Lisa76]

Mother Goose.... THANKYOU so much for all your help. I have now finished all my work and posted it in. Phewww, I am so glad it is all finished and hopefully if i pass I will never have to think about that subject again. Society and Culture has to be the worst of the lot, although having said that I can see it's relevance to nursing. Thanks again, you have been fantastic

[Mother Goose]

Good for you Lisa! And not a problem. If you want to email me, my Uni ID is NITNL001 and my last name is Dewhurst - just look me up in the directory and flick me an email. I hope what I wrote actually helped you. I think I must have blocked that subject out of my mind!
I did my last exam today and am pretty nervous about it.... Hopefully I passed! But I got my NC5 results and got a C - 1 point off a D which really annoyed me but that's life!
Good luck with your results!

[katkins]

Hi everyone. Just wanted to say I did 2.5yrs of my Bach of N and stupid me didn't finish it. I have become very disillusioned by the industry lately and I am starting to look in other directions. The main subject I had problems with was Sociology. I had a lecturer who was Deaf in both ears and hence spoke in a mono tone and put me to sleep every lecture or tut without fail. Hence the reason I didn't pass the two times I attempted that course. Part of me wishes I had've finished as then I could have gone on to do Midwifery or something instead of being a sh*t kicker in a nursing home. My Dh is now pushing me to go back to work. he claims for financial reasons (we just bought a house but are coping well on just one wage). He doesn't understand that putting the kids in any type of care eats away any benefit from working...*GRR* Sorry bout the vent. Am almost to the point of leaving him atm and no-one in my family seems to want to hear it. They know how he treats me and they all say it's wrong, but it's up to me to fix it, yet how can I when he makes me feel so inferrior and worthless? When he cuts me off and won't let me finish? When my brain won't let me get what I feel out properly? Ok. Enough ranting and raving.
I'm not even sure I remember overly much from what I learnt at Uni. But maybe in time I will go back and finish it. Anyone else sick of the politics beind nursing institutions??

[Mother Goose]

Katkins, I'm sorry about the troubles with your DH. But I totally hear you about Sociology. I did it 3 times. The first time I dropped out after being accussed of plagerism on an assignment I actually didn't do any research for. Turns out half my step mother's class were accused of the same thing the year before. I complained of course and the teacher isn't there any more. Second time I dropped out because I was doing too much and third time I refused to spend any more money on the stoopid course so bit the bullet and finished it.
About politics do you mean hospital politics, government funding politics or nurses politics? After all the nurse politics at my last placement, I have vowed to never return to that hospital as either a patient or a nurse! But unfortunatly, politics is everywhere. I've learnt to ignore what I can, I keep away from the "bad eggs" on wards (once I work out for myself who they are) and keep in mind why I'm there. I love looking after people and I actually enjoy most aspects of nursing so I guess I can overlook certain things. Plus, I love the fact that there are so many areas of nursing so I am always bound to find something that suits me. There's community nursing (RDNS), being a nurse in a GP's office, being a nurse on production sets or in remote areas like the mines, Royal Flying Doc Service. I love it. I can't wait to get out there and start spreading my wings in all those areas! And if I ever get sick of nursing, I'll just swap over to the ambulance serivce!
If you've completed 2.5 years of your RN, you should be able to enrol with the nurses board as an EN and work as one in any number of areas (not restricted to nursing homes). If you don't want to finish your degree, that's another option. And I believe they get paid ok money too.
Good luck with what ever you decide.

MG

[Trish]

Tegan, thanks for the info. I haven't really had a chance to have a good look at it yet, but I'm sure it's fine

[katkins]

I rang re registering as an enrolled nurse. They said you can't do that unless you actually do the EN course so I can't even work as an EN. My only option is to work as an AIN or CSE.

[Antheia]

Congratz on passing Lisa! Well done.

[Lil_Pearl]

MummaBear...I'm so glad you've found doula-ing such a joy! I'm procrastinating w/ my last little bit of the course....it's getting into lots of reading, and I'm mainly just learning to set up business now...it's like I'm freakin' out 'cause I'm knowledgable enough to get crackin', haha...it's sorta scary, feeling the responsiblity of it all...but I'm also so very excited, and just can't wait! I still feel a huge desire to become a midwife though...it's been calling me for many years...since I was 12 or so, and I just want to change the system from within, you know? I have fantasies of being a midwife people write about, who changes society by being real! I'm currently reading 'The Midwife's Tale' by Nicky Leap and Billie Hunter, and it's so interesting! It talks about the time before midwives had to be registered... the 'Handywomen', who were often drinkers but often great favourits with clients. lol....that made me laugh...I don't agree w/ attending a women while drunk, but I agree that most (good) midwives really have a great personality...are peoples people, are fun, and free-spirited, and supportive of everyone. I was into being a (blues) musician before I got married and had my kids (and lost all ability to write, sing, or play.lol) and...well, I feel just as much excitement and passion towards being in the birth field as I did about the music (except, the birth field is so much more family-friendly! ). So I've decided to try to get into midwifery for next year...I just have to give it a shot, otherwise, I'll be forever wondering "what if?"..........and, yes, I already feel that way about the music, some days.