WHCNP vs CNM

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  1. This is a discussion on WHCNP vs CNM in Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM), part of Advanced Practice Nursing ... What's the difference between a Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner and a Certified Nurse...

    by Aug 13, '05
    What's the difference between a Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner and a Certified Nurse Midwife in terms of what they do? Is a WHCNP an RN with a certificate and a CNM a more advanced nurse or APRN with a Master's degree? I would assume that the focus on birth would be the major, if not only, difference since CNMs do women health care.

    Thanks.
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    by futureTMA Aug 13, '05 12:10 am
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  3. 19 Comments so far...

  4. Aug 13, '05 by
    They are both Advanced Practice RN Certifications, each requires an MSN.
    CNMs concentrate on taking care of pregnant women and deliviering babies.
  5. Aug 13, '05 by
    And just to understand, WHCNPs concentrate on . . .? Curious, if you have an MSN can you be certified to do both?
  6. Aug 13, '05 by
    Quote from studentcnm
    And just to understand, WHCNPs concentrate on . . .? Curious, if you have an MSN can you be certified to do both?
    They are two completely separate tracks. WHCNPs normally do not get delivery privileges at a hospital or clinic. CNMs do. Do go for the CNM certification, most programs require that you have two years of labor and delivery experience.........WHCNPs do not have that requirement.
  7. Aug 13, '05 by
    Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN offers programs in both areas, they are very helpful if you have questions about either program:

    http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/nursing/msn/womenhnpq.html

    http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/nursing/msn/nursmidwq.html
    Last edit by JAHJF on Aug 15, '05
  8. Aug 13, '05 by
    Many thanks JAHJF, that's what I was looking for. It didn't occur to me to check decriptions at schools for some reason. Thanks.
  9. Aug 13, '05 by
    Your welcome
    Last edit by JAHJF on Aug 13, '05
  10. Aug 13, '05 by
    JAHJF, to a lesser degree, so have I but I know I want to help with births and CNMs can do other women health care so I, obviously, decided for that.

    Thanks for your help.
  11. Aug 13, '05 by
    Just want to clarify that CNM's do well-woman care (paps, birth control, etc.) as well as pregnancy and delivery. I wasn't sure if that was clear from reading above, maybe I just didn't catch it.
  12. Aug 14, '05 by
    the university of pennsylvania offers a masters with BOTH certifications- if you opt for the cnm you will also graduate with the whnp, or you can just do the whnp. i understnad there a few other programs that offer a joint degree like this (fulltime, 18 months at penn) but i don't know who they are- does anyone?

    www.nursing.upenn.edu