I need help deciding between midwife or FNP!!

CNM2B · Mar 17, 2009

Hi! I can't answer all of your questions, but I can address some of them. I also work neuro and am currently a CNM student at Frontier. It is rigorous, but working 24 hours a week is doable (that is what I do--and I go to school full-time). It's a great program and well-respected--you will get a great education.

As for the FNP program, it is very good. It was actually the first FNP program in the country and has been in operation for many years. Mary Breckinridge (the founder of the school) was a big proponent of the FNP concept.

As for deciding, it is a tough choice. I am doing CNM right now, but hope to go back later to finish my FNP. That is always an option--do one now and the other later. I guess you just have to follow your heart and see what sounds more exciting. To do infertility, you may hve to do the WHNP program. Frontier offers that, and it is only one quarter extra after earning the CNM (I am planning to do that and I know a lot of others are as well).

Good luck with your decision. Whatever you choose, Frontier is a great program and a great school. Fortunately, they are really helpful about letting you switch specialties if your heart leads you to do that, so you aren't locked in once you apply. Please let me know if you have any more specific questions I can answer.

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 26, 2009

I'm also a student at Frontier but I am a FNP student. While the school started as a Midwifery program many years ago, it has always had a very strong family based approach to it even though it wasn't coined as a "FNP" program per se. The distance FNP program started in 1999 and is a very strong program. In fact it's pretty equal now as far as admits to the CNM/WHNP program and the FNP program. All 3 program tracks have the same general focus in the end, which is what I really admire about the school.

I initially wanted to be a CNM then get my WHNP, however, I need more flexibility where I live and the idea of providing care to the entire family is very appealing to me. For me, I can do so much more with as an FNP than I can as a CNM. But that is largely d/t where I live. It might be different for you.

The program is intense but it's an intense as you make it. Community based education is appealing because you can still have a life outside of school and work and you can make it work for you and your family.

As far as the decision to do part/full time in the program - go to Frontier Bound and talk to the staff and look at your timeline. Many of us are planning on doing this program full time and working full time. Others are doing everything part time. It's really up to you and what will work for you and your family and your timeline. I would also encourage you to see how you feel after your first term after you've taken a couple of classes. You can make the decision to move one way or the other once in your program.

As far as work load in each class - they are designed to be pretty balanced when you take them in the suggested order of study and the faculty has spent much time adjusting classes to make them more balanced with one another. As far as papers go - those vary throughout the program but all graduate programs focus heavily on writing and research.

The rest of the questions, I wish I could help. Hopefully a CNM will chime in and help answer those questions. I know there were a few threads awhile back on here - a day in the life of a CNM - that might help you out some with a few of those questions.

Good luck with whatever you decide!!!! I'm very happy with my decision to go to Frontier!!!!

Sheri FNP-C · Mar 29, 2009

I couldn't decide either a few years ago. I was accepted into the CNM program at SUNY Stony Brook. I went to the orientation and the more I learned, the more sure I became that Midwifery wasn't for me. At that time the malpractice insurance for CNMs had just gone up significantly. CNMs in my area were working only in the office, not doing deliveries. The ins. while in school was something like $8,000/yr in addition to tuition. I immediately transferred into the FNP program.

I have children. One of the reasons I wanted to further my education was so that I didn't have to work odd shifts, weekends, holidays. As a CNM I would be on-call and possibly have to do deliveries regardless of the time or date.

I had a variety of interests. In my state FNPs can work almost anywhere. I figured I could still work in OB/GYN as a FNP. Well, after several years of OB/GYN and antepartum/postpartum experience, I was shocked to discover that it was my least favorite clinical. I was bored by the end of my rotation. It didn't seem challenging enough (of course I am sure doing deliveries adds some excitement). Plus, I really don't want to spend the rest of my life looking at lady partss full time while stinky feet surround me.

Frontier School has a combo FNP/Midwifery program. That may be an option for you. (I opted for the much less expensive state school).

For me, FNP is going to be perfect. I really like the primary care provider role. I want to do more than be a part of the patient's life for 9 months. I hope to find a position in school/college health so I can have the summers off with my children.

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 30, 2009

Frontier School has a combo FNP/Midwifery program. That may be an option for you. (I opted for the much less expensive state school).

Frontier does not have a "combo" program for FNP/Midwifery. You must complete one clinical speciality track before you start another. If you wanted to be a CNM/FNP you would first complete one program and then enter the 2nd program post masters. You can not do 2 tracks at one time. If you notify the school when you begin the admission process they can help you streamline your coursework but as far as it being a dual program, they unfortunately do not do that at this time.

http://www.midwives.org/academics.asp?id=163&pid=56

There is a small exception to the rule - if you are completing the Midwifery portion and would like to add WHCNP you can do that at the end of your program. It's additional time and more clinical hours but then you would eligible to sit for both your CNM boards and WHCNP boards.

http://www.midwives.org/academics.asp?id=81&pid=78

SiennaGreen · Apr 4, 2009

Can I ask a what might be a dumb question of the Frontier students?

Do you choose from a list of preceptors in your area? Or are you solely responsble for finding your own preceptor/site? How many different sites or preceptors is it recomended that you have during the program? (CNM)

I know I can get in touch with Frontier, and I will soon but I'm just feeling it out right now.

Thanks so much!

doulagirl · Apr 28, 2009

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to say THANKS for the great conversation you are having and the wonderful information being shared! I have learned so much just being a "silent" reader! ;P I too am having the same questions running through my mind...CNM vs. WHCNP vs. FNP. It's all quite alot to weigh, is it not? But it's wonderful and exciting!! I'm glad to have it re-affirmed that I am not the only one trying to sort through the options and weigh the pros and cons for my family and I.

I am very early in the game...still waiting on my initial acceptance letter for nursing school...but will definitely look to this community for any questions I may have in the future.

: )

Tara

allthemadmen · Jul 17, 2009

I would recommend you start by reading Midwifery Today, Birth Gazette, and publications like those. Elizabeth Davis' book is good, as are Ina May Gaskin's books. There's a reason a lot of midwives view this as a calling- it is not always an "easy" job (that is not to imply that I think nursing or NP is an "easy" job) and it does not always pay well. I've known midwives who were barely getting by, and a midwife I worked with when I was a doula said she had missed almost every Christmas and at least two of each of her children's birthdays. You need to consider what sort of midwifery you will practice. But this is not a leave-work-at-work kind of career. I've known single mothers who've made midwifery work, of course- but you need to consider what you are able and willing to handle.

Also, realize that you might end up wanting to practice a completely different specialty once you're in nursing school! I've known people who wanted to do ER who ended up being bitten by the geriatrics bug and only want to care for old folks now, or a classmate who loathed small children and babies (except her own), and now wants to do NICU. I wanted to be a midwife since I was a child, but by the time I entered nursing school thought I was headed toward anesthesia, and yet now I'm feeling that pull back to midwifery- so while I'm making plans, and ensuring I'm taking courses that will apply to my RN-BSN program and prepare me to apply to a variety of master's programs, I'm also keeping an open mind. Shadow a midwife and a nurse practitioner, if your program doesn't include that specifically. Get an idea of whether that's really what you might want to do day in and day out. Just don't get too locked into a long-term plan, because you don't want to miss out on that real "calling." :)

mommy2boysaz · Jul 18, 2009

For me, FNP is going to be perfect. I really like the primary care provider role. I want to do more than be a part of the patient's life for 9 months. I hope to find a position in school/college health so I can have the summers off with my children.

Just wanted to throw in that CNMs care for women from childbearing age through the rest of their lives. It's not just 9 months!

Sheri FNP-C · Jul 18, 2009

Just wanted to throw in that CNMs care for women from childbearing age through the rest of their lives. It's not just 9 months!

You are absolutely correct. I was more referring to the more frequent visits in pregnancy versus the annual GYN appointment. When I was an OB/GYN RN I know how much we all bonded with the OB patients that were there so frequently and barely remembered the GYN patients from year to year. Of course, there are the GYN patients with problems, infections, abnormal paps, etc. that you see more frequently.

I prefer the more frequent interaction and the ability to treat the entire individual and/or family versus focusing on just one body system.

alg12 · Feb 16, 2011

I am having a similar dilemma: my gut is pulling me toward midwifery, but my brain is worried about some practical implications. My question to any working CNM out there is: how many hours does "full time" end up being? I know this must vary tremendously by practice, but wondered - on average - what the weekly hours end up being. Is 40 hours (albeit odd ones, eg. with call and nights, etc.) full time? or something closer to 80?

arabianeyez83 · Feb 23, 2011

The CNM's at my hospital do 2 8hr shifts at the clinic, and 2 12 hr shifts in L&d in a week...no on call...Not every midwife does on call hours..