Additional Recommended Experience for Bastyr University's Midwifery Program -The following experiences are not required. However, because they provide a significant foundation for midwifery education and practice, they will improve the strength of your application:

• Participation in organizations supporting midwifery or childbearing families.
  
  
• Demonstrated community or political activism.
  
  
• Involvement in women’s services or work in social or health services geared toward women.
  
  
• Other activities that develop and demonstrate leadership, initiative, energy, and problem-solving skills.
  
  
• Previous midwifery work.
  
  
• Apprenticeship or birth experience, especially as a labor support doula.
  
  
• Training or experience as a childbirth educator.
  
  
• Training or experience providing postpartum care to new mothers, for example, as a postpartum doula or lactation consultant.
  
  
• Training or experience in a health-related field.
  
  
• Relationships with midwives or other health providers in a community where you intend to practice after graduation.

The following are specific suggestions for things you might do to help prepare yourself for attending midwifery school and pursuing a career in midwifery:

• Relationships with midwives or other health providers in a community where you intend to practice after graduation.
  
  
• Attend introductory midwifery courses or workshops at midwifery conferences.
  
  
• Join midwifery organizations and participate in efforts to promote midwifery.
  
  
• Volunteer in a midwifery practice.
  
  
• Volunteer to work with an ambulance crew or other on-call health care work.
  
  
• Pursue basic health care experience or education such as Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician or Licensed Practical Nurse.
  
  
• Complete Advanced First Aid and CPR certification.
  
  
• Complete courses in communication and writing skills, women’s studies, and family life and development.
  
  
• Train to work as an advocate or counselor for women’s health clinics, rape crisis centers, women’s shelters, or pregnancy crisis centers.
  
  
• Participate in the care of pregnant, birthing, or postpartum women in any role.
  
  
• Explore the Internet and use email.