"The clinical experience I had was amazing. We had a diverse set of options to choose from in ambulatory care. I don’t think another program can boast of a better clinical experience. Many different preceptors with varying style overall adhered to similar clinical standards. This gave a richness of experience and perspective that simply cannot be replicated with a smaller faculty pool.”

—Sara Thayer

"When I was making the decision to come to Baystate for my midwifery education, I had heard that the program was special and unique. Now, as I compare my experiences with my friends' experiences at other schools, I am convinced that I am truly in a one-of-a-kind program."

"The individual attention that students are able to receive due to the small class size and one-on-one preceptorship is invaluable. Where else can a student have a preceptor (who does not have her own patient load for the day) assigned specifically to work with her and guide her through the entire process?"

"The intimate feel of this program has also allowed me to develop personal connections with many different midwives and this has helped me achieve my goals; they have supported me in applying for and being awarded scholarships and grants, and arranging international midwifery service projects."

"It is pleasure to work with every single one of the different midwives in the practice and learn from their individual strengths. Because all of the midwives are involved in the education program, discussions around evidence-based practice are always welcomed and encouraged and I feel confident that I am receiving the most up-to-date information for my future practice."

"I also love the diverse population that I get to work with here, and have had clinical placements at various community health centers, the hospital and the correctional facility. All of these experiences (and my upcoming integration in California) have been arranged by the program. Furthermore, the program has arranged for us to participate in learning opportunities with experts in different fields (such as infertility or public health) and we have access to all of the learning and resources that residents have access to (such as OB/GYN Grand Rounds or the Health Sciences Library). Last but not least, this program is incredibly affordable compared to many other programs.

"Whenever I come across nurses considering midwifery as the next step, I always encourage them to apply to this program. I consider it to be one of the best-kept secrets of midwifery education."

—Rachel Ballester

"Because of the size of the classes and the relationship that the midwives have with the hospital, we have excellent one on one instruction in both the classroom and in the clinical environment: we have our own large patient population and the docs are respectful of the CNMs' autonomy and capabilities. "

"The hospital we learn in is a teaching hospital dedicated to producing the highest quality, evidence based practitioners, and the midwifery education program fits seamlessly into the hospital and shares this objective. I will be a better midwife for having been able to learn in an environment in which physician/midwife collaboration is so natural and respectful."

"The midwives teaching in the program are here because they love their practice and they want to share it. The fact that the program has all the clinical sites built in and guarantees the student placements allows you as a student to focus your energies on building your skill and knowledge base. That my integration site was arranged for me, and tailored to my specific learning goals is wonderful and stress reducing! "

"As a student here you are folded into a long-standing, very highly respected practice, and the trust bestowed upon you as a beginning care provider by the midwives and their patients is a true honor. The learning environment is inspiring, supportive and exciting. As a student I find it a challenging program, demanding dedication and sacrifice, but the rewards are great, and I know I will graduate being very well prepared to think critically and care for my patients with skill and confidence. What more could a student ask of a program?"

—Sarah Todd