Anyone start as as a lay midwife or CPM and then become CNM?

I'm starting nursing school in January as a LM, CPM for all the reasons you mentioned, with the exception of wanting to practice outside the US.

btw, for all the hard work in your direct-entry program you are doing (and I have already done) we deserve better than to be referred to as lay midwives!

I am a CPM, RM and will be finishing the BSN program December of 2009. My plan is to enter a CNM program as soon as possible. I think you can make a living being a CPM and do good work- it makes a great second income for a family. But, it is more limiting than having a CNM/RN as far as job prospects. I am going further because I have to make the first income for my family.

Too many women (CPMs and CNMs) worry about the malpractice insurance costs and who is going to pay for it. If you are self employed, you just pay it. If you are not paying it and your employer does, then you are still paying it indirectly. It is just the cost of doing business like paying rent and buying supplies.

It is good to look at long term goals and futher education. Some women love being a CPM midwife, others need more or life changes during or after that process. I think that having experience as a CPM will help me keep it real wherever I practice as a CNM. Investigate what will be needed overseas- who knows what you may or may not be able to do with a CPM. There are CPMs in other countries that have birth centers.

Yes, please don't call CPM/licensed midwives "lay"; it is a word that implies no training or education and I have plenty of that, thanks. I always try to educate hospital staff about what I do and let them know I am a "registered midwife" and have a license from the state.

Good point. What I don't like about the term (and I did catch that you said lay or CPM) lay is that in the past it was assumed that non-nurse midwives were completely untrained. Sometime we get a bit touchy.