Nurses Helping Nurses
allnurses Network: Central | Jobs | Books | Newsletter
allnurses: A Nursing Community for Nurses
Home General News Blogs Articles Students Region Specialty Degrees F.A.Q.
Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM) /

CNM and FNP certification/degrees



Did You Know?
allnurses is the largest community for nurses on the web. We now have over 388,190 members! Join today to network with other nurses, laugh, share, and much more.

Feb 05, 2009 04:13 PM

CNM and FNP certification/degrees


Hello!

I am currently a BSN student with a previous degree in the sciences. I had always wanted to be both an FNP and a CNM but in talking more with my professors they gave the impression that this was ultimately silliness. They expressed that keeping up with a dual certification would require a lot of hours of practice and added that jobs that required both were not very common. I have to admit I was saddended, but I do see people (faculty in MSN programs etc) who do both, on top of the many dual degree programs that exist out there. I am just hoping to hear from any people who are both a CNM and an FNP and are able to do both in there day to day. I suppose realisitically I assume I would get one and then be working and find a situation where I could use both and then get the second... run on sentence... Anyway any experience or advice would be great. Do you have to work in a big city to use both? In a doctor's office? I've heard some say it's great for rural areas (probably where I'll end up and where I want to end up) and underserved populations but who do you end up working for? Is it worth it? I've also heard people say I should just choose between them and not try to do both. Ack! so much advice but so far none of it's what I was hoping to hear!

Thanks in advance!

Ms. Marsalvo


Share

Search Tags
None
Top

 
Advertisement
Sponsored Links
 
Reply
5 Comments
No. 1
from Bree124
Old Feb 06, 2009, 10:10 AM

Default Re: CNM and FNP certification/degrees
Hi,
I actually think it would probably be the least useful in an urban setting. There are many, many areas in this country where healthcare isn't available unless you go 100 miles away.

We are looking at relocating to Montana when I am done with my CNM, and I am interested in getting a post-master's cert as an FNP because I think it would be useful in a very rural area.
Top
 
No. 2
from bebeleche
Old Feb 07, 2009, 01:13 PM

Default Re: CNM and FNP certification/degrees
There are jobs out there where you can use both. Don't get discouraged by what others say. The National Health Service Corps has a scholarship and a loan repayment plan if you plan to work in an area of great medical need. As Bree124 said, there are very rural areas where service as a "family nurse-midwife" is highly valued.
I am an FNP and plan to go back for my CNM and hope to start my own practice someday where I can care for pregnant women, their babies and their partners. I like a family-centered model that centers around the woman.
These are just some examples. Follow your heart.
Top
 
No. 3
Old Feb 07, 2009, 02:20 PM

Default Re: CNM and FNP certification/degrees
Bebeleche and Bree 124,

Thank you both for your responses. It is good to hear that there is a need and it can be done. I know I will have to work thing sout when I get there but it is great to realize it is still possible.

K-ron
Top
 
No. 4
Old Feb 07, 2009, 02:22 PM

Default Re: CNM and FNP certification/degrees
PS @ Bebeleche,

How do you like being an FNP? Do you do low risk OB (without deliveries). What kind of setting do you work in? Just curious
Top
 
No. 5
from bebeleche
Old Feb 08, 2009, 07:09 AM

Default Re: CNM and FNP certification/degrees
I do like being an FNP. At the moment, I work in college health (which works well w/my family life for now), but when I was fulfilling my NHSC obligation in a rural setting, I was doing full-scope FP- a lot of OB and women's health and not just low-risk. In areas with few medical providers, people take what they can get. Not safe, but a reality- which is one reason I'm no longer there. I like my license
I did/do like providing OB care, which I why I wanna go for the CNM. In that setting I would see the moms for thier prenatal/postpartum and be the provider for their babies, but I wish I could have attended the deliveries as well.
I need to wait a few more years before I can pursue my dream, however, because I have babies at home myself.
Good luck.
Top
 
Reply




Thread Tools


Who's Online
384 members
3,539 guests
3,923

15

16th Philly area hospital to stop delivering babies: Mercy...

1

Really interesting article on Indian open hearts

0

High-Tech Pump Does What Her Heart Can't

0

Air Force RN Force RN Found Not Guilty

4

Hospital Falters as Refuge for Illegal Immigrants

6

California Imposes Stricter Rules Regarding Drug Abuse In...

28

Are older nurses being forced out of the profession?

3

An outlook in California?

8

Australian surgeons successfully separate conjoined twins

44

Disruptive behavior by doctors, nurses persists a year...



1

Society Needs Care Too

12

Why am I doing this, anyway?

2

Nurse Heal Thyself

9

My Papa, why I am the nurse I am today.

17

I made it through

11

An angel's gaze

14

A Sister Never Forgets

16

Ruby's Marbles

37

What Do Operating Room Nurses Do?

14

My Little Old Jedi

20

I love this job......

23

"I hear voices"

19

Preventing FRUTI (Foley Related Urinary Tract Infection) in...

24

Error and Attitude

10

It's Just a Shower





Currently Reading This Page: 1 (0 members & 1 guests)

Interested in the hottest topics of the week? Subscribe to the Nurse-zine Newsletter.
Enter email address: