October 25, 2013 Update

Just a quick update today--
The new International Clinical Placement Standards should be out next week. If you've sent me logs lately, I apologize--I am working on logs 2+ hours a day and I am still behind. I am trying to catch up. I promise. (Don't stop sending them to me. Just be patient.)

Also, the Test Request deadline for taking the February 2014 NARM exam is next week: November 1. I've received documents from the students who told me they were taking the exam already and I will be in contact with them after the deadline about any additional paperwork that's needed but if you are planning to take the NARM next February, please let me know ASAP!

Finally, a note about FORMS for taking the NARM. When you start primary births, or continuity of care births, I would encourage you to download these 3 forms:
Form 200-NARM Continuity of Care form (available from this link: http://narm.org/equivalency-applicants/meac-download-application-forms/ -make sure you get the right one for your "program"--if you don't know if you're new or old, you're probably new.)
Form 204-NARM Out of Hospital Birth form (same link as above)
MEAC Continuity of Care form (downloadable from the Clinical Program tab on your left).

If you have COC and OOH forms from the old clinical handbook, or that say MCU on them, NARM is now requesting that you use ONLY THEIR FORMS, not any others. If you already filled out old/out of date forms, don't panic. They can still take them if you can't get the new forms filled out, but they really prefer their forms over ours (I know, I'm trying not to take it personally either. Send chocolate). Certainly, if you haven't done your COCs yet, these will be good to have on hand!

The MEAC form replaces the need to send charts in for Continuity of Cares--much simpler and more compact, but it does need to be signed by your preceptor. If you have chart copies instead and no way to get your preceptor to sign the MEAC form, it will be ok, but again, the MEAC form is much preferred.

Hope you're all doing well--enjoy some apple cider this weekend, especially those ladies who took the NARM at the MANA conference yesterday. Woohoo!

Sarah

October 14, 2013 Update

Hello, everyone!

We had a wonderful time at conference--I enjoyed getting to see so many of you in person and I apologize if I wasn't available enough. I'm working on a plan to be more accessible and organized for student meetings during conference in the spring. 

Photo by Darren Hester, Creative Commons

A quick reminder about events this week:

On Tuesday, October 15 at 7:00 pm (Mountain time): Cheryl Furer will be presenting Clinical Rounds on Biophysical Profiles. It looks like a very informative and helpful presentation. Those who were in the Prenatal Care conference class, I know we talked about these briefly and Cheryl's got a great case and explanation of this procedure.

Then on Friday, October 18 at 8:00 am, there will be a meeting for students planning on graduating and taking the NARM in 2014 (if you've already attended one of these sessions, no need to attend again--this is the same thing). If you're not sure if you should attend, shoot me a quick message and we'll discuss your plans.

I've had quite a few requests from students for internships--if you know about a clinical opportunity, please send it to me, whether long or short term. We can help each other out!

Finally, my office hours are still Friday mornings from 9 to 11 am Mountain time. I keep my skype up and my email blinking. If you'd like a traditional phone call, we can do that too! I'd love to talk to you!

All the best,

Sarah Carter

October 7, 2013 Update

Happy Autumn, everyone!

I'm sending this from the MCU conference--our beginning students are enjoying a session on Preparing Your Clients for Birth--I hear lots of laughter and happiness from over there, and our advanced students (and several midwives from the community) are studying ob pharmacology in the other room. Much more serious, but good learning happening while the caterer sets up a delicious-looking lunch.

For those wondering about international clinical placement standards, they are in progress and you can expect updates within the next two weeks. This is very important to us and we are working on it!

Also, for anyone who missed the online Clinical Orientation calls held earlier in the semester or would like to review, I have a recording of it now, available to download - Message me for the link and do message me with questions!

Upcoming clinical events for the coming month:
Thu Oct 10 at 12:00 noon (all Mountain time): Clinical Rounds-Special session LIVE from the conference on Cultural Awareness and Ethics in Clinical Practice

Tue Oct 15 at 7:00 pm: Clinical Rounds-Cheryl Furer will be presenting on Biophysical Profiles

Fri Oct 18 at 8:00 am: Class of 2014 Clinical meeting--for students planning on graduating and taking the NARM in 2014 (if you've already attended one of these sessions, no need to attend again).

Thursday, Oct 24 will be the NARM exam at MANA Conference so spare a thought for your sisters who will be testing that day.

Finally, Friday, Nov 1 is the deadline for Request to Test forms for students planning to take the February NARM exam.