FNP vs WHNP vs Midwife vs PA???

Specialties NP

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I always thought I was going to go to the ER b/c of my experience as a medic and EMT in the Army. However, I'm now a nurse partner in high risk L&D and I LOVE it! I'd really like to go on to become a NP, but am unsure of the road to take. I would like to see patients throughout their pregnancy and be the PCP that delivers. Can you do that as a FNP or WHNP?? I know you can as a midwife, but is this respectable profession? Is there a demand for midwives? I really like the midwife standpoint of melding the homeopathic and naturopathic views, but have heard from many MDs on my floor that it is a laughable degree/profession, i.e., not respected by other PCPs. Is this true? Also (last question!) can PAs deliver? Not sure about their scope as we only have midwives and MDs that deliver on our floor.

TIA for any help/advice/life experience you can lend me! :D

Lauritasol,

I read your post and was just wondering--If what you really want is to work with pregnant moms and deliver babies, why not just work to be a midwife? I know you want to have a marketable degree, but it seems to me that midwives are in more and more demand all the time, especially on the west coast. If you're able to relocate, it would probably be easier. Here in Baltimore/DC, even, there are several hospitals that use midwives in addition to OB/GYNs. I'm going on for my master's (FNP) next fall, but I love primary care and working with all age groups. I'm a firm believer that you should do what will make you happy.

Also, as far as other medical professionals, physicians namely, not taking midwives seriously--well that's just ignorant! I mean, come on! Not all doctors respect nurses, or even nurse practitioners, as true professionals. If that's the general concensus in your area among physicians it's a shame not only for pregnant women, but aspiring midwives like you. Like I said above, maybe you can relocate and do what you love (?). Good luck.

(An aside: when I get pregnant, I'm definitely having a midwife as my primary provider :) )

Jayla

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Specializes in trauma ICU,TNCC, NRP, PALS, ACLS.

Emory and Vanderbilt have a duel CNM/FNP programs, I have been looking into their program but I am wanting to make sure that it is worth the time (as in marketable), b/e everyone keeps telling me home health care is the demand b/e of the aging baby boomers population.

Wow! That is truly awesome and amazing! How great to be both a PA and now a soon to be CNM/HWNP! What dedication! And I'm sure you have so much knowledge in that brain of yours - plus so much life experience. I work at a level 3 L&D and we see a lot of HIV mothers. It's so great to see how far medicine and technology have progressed.

And I already know about the greys! I've had grey hairs since I was 16, and have gained more by the year. I'll be 30 this year and I've been coloring my hair reguarly probably since 25. I just don't like any grey to show - I want to look on the outside how old I feel on the inside. ;)

I too wanted to be a PA (I have a BS and had applied to PA school), but there were over 2000 apps and only 50 seats, so I wasn't accepted either year. The 2nd year I applied to nursing school as well, and got in (600 apps, 125 seats - less competitive). So...I guess from here I'm just trying to decide where to go next. I know I want to become a PCP, I just don't know which one! I don't want to choose a career pathway and then never find a job, so I was just trying to see which career has the most opportunities throughout the US b/c my DH is in the AF and we will be moving around for the next 20 years or so.

Do you have a take on this?

Well, good luck to you in your studies and future practice. It sounds like you will be doing something you love as well as being such a service to others.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Emory and Vanderbilt have a duel CNM/FNP programs, I have been looking into their program but I am wanting to make sure that it is worth the time (as in marketable), b/e everyone keeps telling me home health care is the demand b/e of the aging baby boomers population.

Hello, foxyhill21,

Well, you are correct that the population is getting older. But, there will always be birth and death. The CNM and the dual discipline FNP shold be a VERY marketable career. I envy you in the choice.

Vandy has a great program. I am not familiar with the one at Emory.

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Specializes in SICU,L and D.

I want would like to attend vanderbilt or emory for their program. Are they hard to get into? There are other schools of midwifery and you can tak on FNP. I mean to get a double master in this area later on, but I was not sure if there is marketablity in this FNP\CNM route. Why are not more schools offering this?

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Specializes in urgent care, GYN, primary care.
I want would like to attend vanderbilt or emory for their program. Are they hard to get into? There are other schools of midwifery and you can tak on FNP. I mean to get a double master in this area later on, but I was not sure if there is marketablity in this FNP\CNM route. Why are not more schools offering this?

I Just graduated in August 2004 from Vanderbilt's FNP program. They do have a CNM/FNP program and my classmates who graduated with CNM's are working all over the country. The CNM/FNP works by doing the CNM part first, which ends in December, and adding another semester or two to do all of the FNP preceptorships and coursework.

Vanderbilt was not difficult to get in to as far as I could tell - it seems like they're accepting larger and larger classes each year. And people who already have their BSN's seemed to be in greater demand than the "bridge" folks. The CNM program is very good and very well respected...

Also, I think a lot of MD's, etc. hear the word midwife and think only of lay midwives, and I know there is a lack of respect in the medical profession for that field. I'm on the West Coast (aka the "Left Coast" :cool: ), and midwives are very, very popular here (both kinds).

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.
Physician Assistants do not have delivery priv. at any facility.

I work for a PA that use to Deliver in Utah before she moved to California, and my mother in law had a PA deliver my husbands sister who is now 12 in California. Did the law change?

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I work for a PA that use to Deliver in Utah before she moved to California, and my mother in law had a PA deliver my husbands sister who is now 12 in California. Did the law change?

Hello,

What is a CNM? I know FNP

Thanks

Buttons

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Hello,

What is a CNM? I know FNP

Thanks

Buttons

Hello, Buttons,:balloons:

CNM=certified nurse midwife

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

I am in Oklahoma, have you talked to Ann and her partner (her name is slipping my mind) the CNM's who work at Presby?! I would call them up and make an appointment and speak with them--they are very well know around here and two of the biggest and well know midwives in the state. They certainly are bringing in the buisness and have a lot of respect in the medical community!

There are quite a few reallyyyyy popular midwife birthing centers in Norman as well and there is always meetings that anyone can go to with the Friends of the Midwifes Allience (if you PM me I can get you the details since I have many friends who are involved in midwife care here in Oklahoma....I would be happy to find out more details and pass them along to you so just PM me ok?

And there are always going to be Drs who don't like midwives (lay, CNM, etc) so don't let that bother you...a lot of Dr's are also *very* uneducated about what a midwife does, homebirth stats, etc

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.
Just wondering if that is true country wide. I'm in Oklahoma. Most MDs that speak of midwives talk about them as if they are folk healers or someone who does not practice "real medicine." These aren't my views - just what I've heard, so I've come here to find out more info on midwives to see if what the doctors are saying is true or if in fact midwives are reputable and respected in other parts. All I know is my hospital, and am only just starting to research NPs and midwives.

Definatly do more research, it is a great field and here in Oklahoma (I dont care what a Dr told you) they ARE in demand...many work in the local hospitals and you need to find them and talk to them. There are going to be the ones who can really let you know what goes on ya know?

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