Any ABSN to CNM's here? Tell me your story!

Specialties CNM

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Has anyone gone from an accelerate BSN program to a Midwifery CMN Master's? What was your experience? I would love to eventually go this path and was wondering if CNM programs were welcoming to ABSNs or if they would rather admit students who had been through a 4 year BSN. Also, I'd love to hear what programs you went through and wether you'd recommend them.

Thanks in advance!

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I can't give you any information specific to midwifery programs but in general ABSN graduates are held in high regard by both hospitals and academia. I don't see any reason why coming from an ABSN program would be held against you, if anything it would be seen as a positive. Grades are the biggest thing, then your experience as an RN.

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Specializes in Nurse-Midwife.

I started an combination accelerated BSN-MSN program a few years back, but dropped out when I realized how much it was going to cost me.

The friends of mine who completed the whole sheebang in one go had well over $100K in student loan debt when they graduated, maybe closer to $120K - and many are still paying off these loans. It's fast. But it will cost you.

I think the huge expense is the biggest drawback to those types of programs. And I don't think these programs always accept the 'best of the best' students. They tend to accept the students who have the means (credit) to pay for it.

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^The programs I'm interested in are pretty selective (UF, for example, admits about 60 out of 300+ apps) but yes, I've seen some school (esp. private) charge a lot for the accelerated degree, although the state schools seem more reasonable. But yes I can imagine a BSN-MS would be even worse.

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I think what queenanneslace is talking about is more with private institutions. I did my ABSN at a state college and it was the same price as 4 semesters worth of tuition for any other student at the college. About $1800 - $2200 per semester if I remember right. The year I went it was a new program and they didn't have a lot of applicants so if you met the minimum requirements (2.5 GPA, no lower than a C+ in the prereqs) you were in. The year after me they had over 100 applicants and it got pretty competitive.

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Specializes in Nurse-Midwife.

Another thing I will chime in on - I think L&D/women's health nursing is HUGELY valuable in becoming a midwife.

I used to not believe this. I used to see becoming an RN as an obstacle on the CNM path - I am no longer in that camp.

Nursing and midwifery are distinct from each other in many ways- but there is considerable overlap. Working as a nurse has allowed me to learn SO MUCH - oh, and to have the added benefit of getting paid while learning - instead of the other way around.

I know many CNMs who took a 'direct route' to the CNM- through an accelerated RN-CNM program, or ABSN to MSN. And they are great midwives. But lately I have been appreciating the value of a certified nurse-midwife as an 'advance practice nurse' - explicitly, a nurse with experience who has furthered her education and scope of practice through an advanced degree.

But I also believe that the CM should be more widely licensed and recognized.... and this degree requires zero experience as a nurse.

Hmmmmm.

I'm sure I contradict myself on these boards. Sometimes my opinion depends on how the wind blows. But today, I can't imagine becoming a CNM without extensive nursing experience. There. Is. So. Much. To. Learn. !!!

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