AAMI Logo The Standard of Excellence in Midwifery Education Since 1981.

Why Apprentice?

Apprentice trained midwives are responsible
for the outcomes of all the
studies that show homebirth is safe!

Midwifery is unlike medicine in practice, philosophy and educational process. Midwives should never consider adopting medicine's educational system unless we are prepared to accept the sacrifices we would make in practice - and unless we are ready to adopt a new philosophy. The educational differences in midwifery and medicine are best exemplified by the fact that midwifery has been traditionally learned through apprenticeship; medicine has completely overlooked the validity of that route.

Medicine operates as one huge tree with many branches. Midwives, by necessity, are more like individual trees, rooted in tradition, nurtured by the rewards of their work which are subject to individual definition. Midwives often stand together as a grove of trees, but they respect the individuality of each tree. Midwives also extend themselves to shelter little trees (apprentices) as they grow. That growth process is called the apprenticeship.

CheckHistorically proven educational route

CheckOne-on-one learning is most effective in most situations

CheckMore opportunity for personalized teaching and learning

CheckMost effective way to learn the benefits of continuity of care

CheckQuickly reconciles expectations with reality

CheckOffers opportunity for more questions

CheckEmphasizes degree of personal integrity and accountability required because of limited back up; no cover-up

CheckUnderscores importance of self-confidence and self reliance

CheckPromotes autonomy necessary for working outside the “system”

CheckIntegrates learning through observation followed by supervised participation, not in a classroom, but in real situations

CheckAllows students to view birth from practitioner’s point of view

CheckWorking with midwife’s clients teaches tolerance and respect for diversity of backgrounds, beliefs, and lifestyles

CheckAccountability to teacher prepares for accountability to client

CheckPromotes responsibility for learning; reciprocity with teacher

CheckClarifies issues pertinent to midwifery by observing how the midwife deals with and resolves them in her practice

CheckBest way to prepare for being “on call” as a lifestyle

CheckChance to observe midwife in relationships with family or friends invited to births, midwife’s peers, and medical community

CheckChance to see importance of parental education and responsibility

CheckMost effective way to learn demands on time, family, emotions

CheckEncourages development of personal philosophy and procedure

CheckInitial limitations on participation and incremental assignments of responsibility produces maturity and patience

CheckOpportunity to learn people skills specific to midwifery

CheckChance to prove, over a period of time, the level of commitment

CheckMost effective way to learn when protocol should be adapted

CheckInstills respect for the client-midwife relationship

CheckOpportunity to find out what potential problems are

CheckOpportunity to see predominance of uncomplicated births and how complications can be handled in an individual manner

CheckOnly way to learn the dynamics specific to home birth

Copyright © 1994 Carla Hartley

©Copyright Ancient Art Midwifery Institute 1981-2012

 

Success is not the key to happiness.
Happiness is the key to success.
If you love what you are doing,
you will be successful.

Albert Schweitzer

 

Ancient Art Midwifery Institute

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Please Note: We are not a nursing program nor affiliated with any nursing program. Although many of our students and graduates have become CNMs, we cannot provide any credentialing that will count toward a CNM.

 

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