WHCNP due to skyrocketing malpractice rates??

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  1. This is a discussion on WHCNP due to skyrocketing malpractice rates?? in Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM), part of Advanced Practice Nursing ... I am getting ready to start studying for my CNM, but am considering getting my WHCNP as well for a...

    by Feb 11, '08
    I am getting ready to start studying for my CNM, but am considering getting my WHCNP as well for a few reasons. First of all, there are not many CNM opportunities in my area and even though I pray that I will be able to practice as a delivering midwife, I feel like the NP might offer more marketability and a backup, just in case. Also, I just heard that malpractice insurance for NP's and CNM's in Indiana is about to increase 110%!!! Obviously malpractice for a CNM is much more than for a NP. I am concerned that I may not be able to afford to practice as a CNM unless something changes.
    Anyone else have any thoughts on the pros and cons of getting both certifications? Some have said that keeping the CEU's up for both is a lot. How much do you really have to do? Couldn't you use your CEU's to satisfy both certifications?

    Thanks,
    Britte
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    by mommy2boysaz Feb 11, '08 8:22 am
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  3. 9 Comments so far...

  4. Feb 11, '08 by
    Hi Britte!

    I'm in Indiana, and would love to know where you found this info. I would like to read up on it myself. I'm finishing my prereqs and will be starting nursing school in the Fall in order to become a CNM.

    Thank you!
    Kate
    (::[ ]:
  5. Feb 11, '08 by
    Hi! The program that accepted me has a joint CNM/WHNP program that I was planning to do. However, when I spoke with the chair of the program, she told me that doing both is unnecessary in most cases. A CNM can work as a WHNP without any trouble. I know several CNM's in my area (central Ohio) who stopped delivering babies (for family reasons, not malpractice costs) and now work in an office in the WHNP role. I asked my CNM recently about malpractice costs--she didn't know a specific number offhand (her practice pays it), but she said it wasn't high enough to be prohibitive. I know several of the hospitals here in town are hiring CNM's now to manage labors (rather than residents).
    SO, I decided to do my CNM now and potentially go back later to get the post-master's certificate in WHNP.
    Does this help at all?
  6. Feb 11, '08 by
    First of all, I got my information about the malpractice increase from a CNM that I work with. She's supposed to be finding out more specifics.

    And, it is good to hear that the insurance in Ohio isn't prohibitive. I live in Ohio, but work in Indiana currently. (Live right on the line.) I was thinking that I could do essentially the same work with a CNM instead of a WHCNP, also. But someone on another forum said that a NP can bill at a higher rate than a CNM (which makes no sense (Medicare, I think)) and I can picture some potential employers choosing a NP before a CNM, just because of the perception of each, unfortunately.
    Don't get me wrong, my first desire is to become a CNM. Just thinking about adding the other certification, also.

    Thanks for all of your replies!

    Britte
  7. Feb 14, '08 by
    Medicare does pay CNMs 65% of teh MD fee schedule, compared to NPs 85%. However not too many 65 year old patients are low risk pregnancies.

    This could play into office visits for primary care if you are seeing medicare patients.

    NCC does not count intrapartum CE for maintaining certification, but prenatal, postnatal, pharmacy, breast feeding all count to the 30 hour requirement. If you have the option to get both CNM and WHNP it would not hurt, except for hight tuition but it should not be many classes. If you really want to get a NP think about FNP/CNM this is a great primary care provider can see the entire family.

    Jeremy
    clhRN2b2010 likes this.
  8. Mar 5, '08 by
    I decided on the CNM program over the WHCNP program only because I would have the option of doing either well women clinic and/or labor. but with WHCNP certification I could NOT do labor. the FMP with the CNM would make you more marketable than the CNM and WHCNP.
  9. Mar 5, '08 by
    Good for you - I wish you luck.
    mommy2boysaz likes this.
  10. Feb 18, '12 by
    can a cnm work as a whnp and still have the same malpractice insurance as a WHNP (because they are not doing deliveries in this case and just office ob)?
  11. Feb 28, '12 by
    I ended up going the CNM route and am now finished with school and have been practicing as a CNM for almost a year.
    I am quite certain that a CNM who is practicing in an office setting only and not doing births would pay much less for malpractice insurance.
    traumaRUs likes this.
  12. Feb 29, '12 by
    I've pretty much made up my mind that I want to become a CNM/WHNP. I figured it would be good if I had both since the program that I'm looking at says it's just a few extra classes. Since you have been praticing for a year I would love to hear about your experience. How has everything been going? Do you think you made a good career choice? What are the pros and cons? Any information would be great!