[ibambamama]

hello all -
I am about to start a direct-entry MSN program here in NYC and I am planning on doing my master's specialty in midwifery (and possibly tacking on the WHNP as well, which, supposedly only takes an extra semester). From everything I have read and heard though, it doesn't seem like a good idea to just push through a program, but rather it seems best to take some time between the BSN and MSN portion to get in some work experience. The program I will be in is also quite expensive and I have heard that many hospitals will pay for your graduate school after you have worked for them for a little while (at least here in NY that seems to be the case)
Anyhoo - (sorry for the rambling...) my question is this - is it possible to work while in school for midwifery? I keep hearing that it isn't really an option b.c. you are always on call for clinicals...what have other people done?
Any guidance would be much appreciated!!

Oh, and also - can anyone clarify the difference between getting a master's in midwifery vs. becoming a WHNP and then doing a post-master's certificate in midwifery?

[cnmmsn]

I worked while I did my clinicals. I survivied it, but it is not something I would reccommend to anyone else. I had small children and needed the income. I worked part time/prn and between that and clinicals, not much time to even sleep. If there is any way to get around working, you will get a lot more info out of the clinicals.
WHNP is women's health nurse practitioner and are not midwives (they do not deliver babies, but can do IP/AP/gyn care if they are in a practice that allows it.
The master's that I had to get was in nursing (thru Case Western) and my certificate was in midwifery. Very different training and scope of practice.
Frontier now has the CNM track and the FNP track. They grant their own master's now instead of having to go thru Case Western like we did in the old days.
Vicki

[lovingpecola]

From my understanding, you can't get a "Masters in Midwifery" ... I believe one gets a "Master of Science in Nursing" and then specializes in Midwifery (earning a CNM certification) or WHNP....so, from that standpoint, I don't think it matters which one you decide to earn first!

I am also starting a direct-entry program (in the fall) so I'll be looking out for your posts on this board about your experiences!

LP

[midwife2b]

I was a post masters student. It felt like a lot more than "part time", as I am sure any of the other CNM's will attest to! I worked full time for the first year (fall, spring, and 2 summer sessions) every Friday Sat and Sun night. I worked every Fri and Sat night for the next Fall semester, then took 12 weeks off to do my integration. My clinical days were prearranged and I was never "on call" unless I was at a clinical site.
Yes, you can work, but if you don't have to you will enjoy it a lot more!

I also have a WHNP certificate (also post masters) that I did in the 90's and I was glad I had that because I really didn't get as much GYN experience in midwifery school as I would have liked. (Lots of primary care though). It is worth the extra time IMHO.

[lovingpecola]

Thanks for that info midwife2b! It's very helpful, I was wondering how it would be possible to schedule working around these programs. It seems like at least part time is possible! And I too was thinking about WHNP because it seems like all of the midwives I've shadowed did a lot more sex ed/paps/birth control type work than I expected - especially those in the clinic setting...

[birthmamaew]

Originally Posted by lovingpecola

From my understanding, you can't get a "Masters in Midwifery" ... I believe one gets a "Master of Science in Nursing" and then specializes in Midwifery (earning a CNM certification) or WHNP....so, from that standpoint, I don't think it matters which one you decide to earn first!

I am also starting a direct-entry program (in the fall) so I'll be looking out for your posts on this board about your experiences!

LP

Actually, there is such a thing as a (MSM) Masters of Science in Midwifery, but I only know of one school that offers it: University of Philadelphia, which is an online program. Does anyone know of any others? What does SUNY Downstate offer to those who do the CM route, in terms of the Masters Degree? But, yes, almost always it is an MSN.

[lovingpecola]

This is interesting, I had never heard of it! Why do they have this (see below) as a requirement for the program?

Completion of or current enrollment in an ACNM accredited nurse-midwifery/midwifery program with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.

Are they not accredited? Why would you apply if you're already in a program?

I don't know if there are any other programs like this at the master's level...
Does anyone know of a PhD program in Midwifery? My grad school said there isn't...but they also said there wasn't a MSM...

[birthmamaew]

Aaaaahhhhhh! It looks like hte program has changed since I last looked at it. It seems that this program is now for CNM's or CM's who do not have a Master's degree, only certification. (There are a few of those programs around that don't offer a Masters,just certification. And yes, they are accredited.) It looks almost like what we might refer to as "Master's Completion" Here is their website:
www.philau.edu

[birthmamaew]

I don't know of any PhD programs in midwifery, but I'd LOVE to hear if anyone else knows of one.