Quarterly Newsletter January to March 2022

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Hello NMI Community!

Hello NMI Community! 

We are late in sending this newsletter and appreciate your patience as we’ve had a lot going on these past few months! Some of the big items to share are:

Accreditation: In March, 2022, NMI was granted re-accreditation for a period of 5 years. 

Program Changes: We shared earlier this year that Heart and Hands has been removed from the NMI curriculum, that NMI has put into place a new prerequisite requirement that students complete a “Foundational Understanding of Midwifery” course, and that Heart and Hands fulfills this requirement. 

Policy Work: We’ve been working on reformatting and revising some of our policies to make them clearer and ensure they support our program goals. You can find policies on our website here. We’ll be publishing policies as they are updated. Of note, we’ve made changes to the following policies, effective immediately:

Support for displaced students: NMI has been approached to create expedited transfer and teach-out agreements for students whose MEAC-accredited schools have closed. We are working on the final details to ensure that these students will be able to complete their midwifery studies. If you meet these students in Hive and your Honeycomb groups - please welcome them! To learn more about school closures, please visit MEAC’s website. 

I hope you are each finding time to soak in the sunshine, hug your loved ones, and care for body, mind, and spirit.

Kathleen Krebs,
Executive Director

 

Announcements

NMI Apprenticeship Opportunities

NMI periodically updates our apprenticeship opportunity blog with midwives who reach out to us looking for students.

If you’re looking for more information or recommendations, or opportunities in other areas, feel free to reach out to our Clinical Director directly at clinicals@nationalmidwiferyinstitute.com.

New Intent to Graduate Form

Getting close to graduate? Take some time to review NMI’s Graduation Requirements page. This page has been recently updated to outline all components of a student's path through our program that must be completed, submitted, and documented prior to issuing a Graduation Certificate. This Intent to Graduate form is new and is provided as a formal mechanism to notify our office of your intent to complete the program. We also ask for official name and address to use in your Graduation Certificate. If you are wondering what you need to graduate, this page will help!

Director Updates

NMI Changes to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy - Academic Director, Gloria Campise

The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy has been updated! The Student portal and the Student Handbook is currently being redrafted to match these policy updates. Meanwhile, students please take note of the maximum number of module submissions per quarter.  The SAP policy states:

The maximum number of modules a student may submit per quarter is seven (7). A student who submits and complete 7 modules per quarter will complete the academic portion of the program in 2 years, which is the minimum timeframe to complete the NMI Midwifery Certification Program. This pacing also ensures integration of clinical and academic learning. 

The instructor will prioritize the first 4 modules submitted by each student, and grade additional modules as time allows. Instructor grading timeline should not impact whether a student meets SAP requirements.
To maintain FULL-TIME satisfactory academic progress, a student must complete at least four (4) modules per quarter. To maintain PART-TIME satisfactory academic progress, a student must complete at least two (2) modules per quarter. The maximum submission limit of seven (7) modules per quarter is meant to allow for a steady flow of module submissions for those students who submit modules above full-time rate of submission, and at the same time allow sufficient time to integrate the material. If you have questions or concerns regarding this policy change, please contact the Academic Director, gloria@nationalmidwiferyinstitute.com.

NMI Launches a New Graduation Module! - Student Services Director, Meredith Mance

We are so excited to launch a new module within the NMI academic program! As of this spring, all students will have the opportunity to take a "Graduation and Practice Prep" Module when they near completion of their studies. This new module will help prepare you for the final steps of your academic journey, licensure, and midwifery practice. It will include 5 weekly meetings where we go over NARM prep, test-taking strategies, document preparation, and the basics of setting up, running, and navigating a midwifery practice. We're starting our first cohort this month and will plan on offering this new module on a rolling basis, based on students who are close to graduation. Students will be invited to attend this module as they near the end of their clinical and academic requirements. Not sure if you qualify yet?

Feel free to contact Student Services Director, Meredith Mance, to check!

New Administrative Forms - Administrative Director, Leah Hamilton

In order to help streamline some of the administrative tasks that take place at NMI, we have instituted two new forms for students to use.

  1. Intent to Graduate Form

    Getting close to graduate? Take some time to review NMI’s Graduation Requirements page. This page has been recently updated to outline all components of a student's path through our program that must be completed, submitted, and documented prior to issuing a Graduation Certificate. This Intent to Graduate form is new and is provided as a formal mechanism to notify our office of your intent to complete the program. We also ask for official name and address to use in your Graduation Certificate. If you are wondering what you need to graduate, this page will help!

  2. Preceptor Request Form

    We have recently revised NMI’s Apprenticeship Page to reflect current documentation and process. Students beginning an apprenticeship or those who wish to sign up with a new preceptor can now request paperwork through a Preceptor Request Form. You will need to submit this form for each new preceptor you wish to work with.

NMI Opportunities for Connection

Student and Graduate Facebook Groups

Receive extra support getting started in Study Group every Tuesday at 9 am PST/ 12 pm EST. This space is available to assist students new to Study Group Modules. Current students who are a little farther along in the program often have great insights about student/apprentice life for newer students. Bring any question you have about being a student, getting organized, expectations, and submitting modules. Bring those pesky questions from modules that you may find more challenging to answer, or that you would simply like more discussion on. This group only covers the foundational sets of modules at the beginning of Study Group. We use the same Zoom Meeting ID & Password as the Hive Mind.


Honeycomb Mentor Monthly Check-In

All students are assigned to a Honeycomb Cohort upon enrollment. Receive mentorship, discuss struggles and triumphs, and set a learning plan for modules and graduation. Reach out to your honeycomb mentor for meeting dates!

Come to Virtual Hive Mind Meetings!

Hive Mind - Join fellow NMI students for lively conversations about midwifery topics. The Hive Mind meets each Wednesday at 4pm (PST) and each Sunday at 5:30 (PST).

Study Group Modules are used as a guide but ALL are welcome to join and share their thoughts and experiences. Zoom Link

Peer to Peer Support Group - NMI has a monthly Peer to Peer meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at 8:30 (EST). This is intended for student connection and support. Only students attend. 

NMI students can join NMI’s separate Peer to Peer Facebook Group or by emailing Ilka Fanni for further information.


BIPOC Student Discussion Groups - Second Monday of the month @ 5:30pm PST/ 8:30pm EST. A time for Indigenous, Black and Brown Students to connect, vision, offer support to one another, discuss matters that impact our education and training, and that of the communities we serve. This is a student led peer discussion group. Reach out on the Facebook group or to your Honeycomb mentor if you need the zoom link to join.

Midwifery & Health Research, Articles, and Education Opportunities

In-Person Skills Practice Opportunity

Ukiah, CA  An in-person skills practice day will be facilitated by Gloria Campise, and two local midwives, Alex Rounds, and Jami Johnson. NMI midwifery students are welcome to attend. We plan to practice drawing up medications and giving injections, blood draws, placing IVs, suturing, EBL, shoulder dystocia drills, and if there is time we will take requests for other skills practices.  Space is limited, so you must contact Gloria to register in advance and purchase practice supplies ($20). We have extra suture sets for use, but if you have your own, please do bring them! There is a suggested donation of $50.00 per person to pay the midwives for their time and expertise. 

Dude and Doula Podcast:

A doula and her partner discussing sex, birth, babies, relationships, and balancing their opposite work schedules.

Available on Spotify as well as Anchor and Apple Podcasts!

Congratulations!

Congratulations are in order to the following graduates and new students as they embark on the next phase of their midwifery journey.

January-March 2022 Graduates

  • Hanna Egan

January-March 2022 New Students

  • Maria Herreros

  • Morgin Kelley

  • Krista ODea

  • Cecile Ortiz

  • Isabella Puccetti

  • Michelle Royer