FNP vs WHNP vs Midwife vs PA???

epiphany · Sep 11, 2005

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!

Sorry, but your post confuses me. I feel like you love what a midwife does, but you are trying to find ways to be one without being identified as one. (?)

You say you have midwives and MDs delivering on your floor. Are these MDs implying that their colleagues' profession is laughable? If so, don't you personally find that bizzare?

And the fact that there are midwives in your hospital indicates a demand, doesn't it? Have you spoken to them?

suzanne4, RN · Sep 11, 2005

Physician Assistants do not have delivery priv. at any facility.

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 11, 2005

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!

Hello, lauritasol,

There is a demand for the midwife. Many are truly respected by the physician collegues. Some are not. It is totally area dependent.

The FNP/WHNP does not deliver per se in all states. I deliver when I am on call in the ER.........I am FNP and WHNP.

Not sure from which state you are located, but, our physicians here in my area respect the role of the NP.

PAs do not deliver. PAs cannot open their own practice as can the NP in any field.

lauritasol · Sep 11, 2005

My question was to find out who can deliver between a NP and PA, as I already knew a midwife can deliver. Thanks Siri for answering my question!

I am interested in being a midwife, but do find at my hospital that they are not respected. 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.

***Siri***

Since my husband is in the AF and we will move tons, what do you think is the best avenue for me to pursue? Is FNP more flexible/in demand or WHNP? I see that you are both. How did you do both? Did you specialize in one area or do you have 2 master's? Most midwives here work in birthing centers and not in the hospitals. Do midwives work in hospitals alongside doctors in other areas? I'd really like to stay with high risk L&D and stay in a hospital, but am unsure of which route I should take. We have NPs in our hospital, but they only work in the high risk clinic and never see patients in the delivery rooms. That is why I was wondering of all the professions, who could deliver. I guess only doctors and midwives can, right?

Thanks so much for everyone's input!

naggytabby, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2005

sorry guys, there are several facilities where physician assistants deliver babies. it's not the norm though- and that's why i am in a bsn/msn (cnm & whnp) program.

lauritasol · Sep 11, 2005

sorry guys, there are several facilities where physician assistants deliver babies. it's not the norm though- and that's why i am in a bsn/msn (cnm & whnp) program.

How do you like the program? Where is your school? What do you plan to do when you graduate? What type of facility do you want to work in? Do you know anything about the FNP/CNM program? Is it similar to yours? Sorry for all the ?'s - just trying to find out from those in the know!

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 11, 2005

sorry guys, there are several facilities where physician assistants deliver babies. it's not the norm though- and that's why i am in a bsn/msn (cnm & whnp) program.

Which state/s? I was unaware of this......

naggytabby, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2005

How do you like the program? Where is your school? What do you plan to do when you graduate? What type of facility do you want to work in? Do you know anything about the FNP/CNM program? Is it similar to yours? Sorry for all the ?'s - just trying to find out from those in the know!

i assume you mean the nursing and not the pa program (which was wonderful). i have to say it's interesting reading what people have to say about either pa or np- and straddling both sides of the fence i am in a unique position to clarify confusion and misinformation :kiss to BOTH

anyways, the program is a bsn and , after an intense summer session,we were funneled in with the "regular" students and other accelerated students which was interesting and usually fun . amazing how much a 20 year old can teach someone in their 40's and vice versa. there was apparently a lot of drama that i missed at one point, but i generally don't look for it. school is in PA. i don't know alot about the fnp/cnm programs- though i know that emory and maybe (?) vanderbilt have them. i hope to work in a setting where i can provide care to women with hiv and other marginalized individuals (same population i worked with as a pa). i have to say i am thrilled that i will be done with the bsn program in december- my cohort has left their mark to say the least. some of the most amazing folks i have had the honor of meeting and working with.

lauritasol · Sep 11, 2005

i assume you mean the nursing and not the pa program (which was wonderful). i have to say it's interesting reading what people have to say about either pa or np- and straddling both sides of the fence i am in a unique position to clarify confusion and misinformation :kiss to BOTH

Oh, I wasn't aware that you had been a PA. How neat is that! Totally OT, but why did you decide to go from PA to WHNP?

I'll finish my BSN this spring, but I'm thinking of maybe doing a FNP/CNM combo, but the only one I've found so far is Emory. I'm still looking around the net though - although I should be studying.

naggytabby, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2005

mostly for the cnm part- if i had stayed in california i could have worked as a pa midwife, but that is an exception. so.... after years of wishing , i decided i would get older whether i went back to school or not, so... i went now the level 2 haircolor still works (in case you don't know, that's the one that isn't permanent and washes out in a month or so- works until you're REALLY grey. cough cough)

i was a homebirth midwife, moved onto being a pa and worked for a community health center msotly doing work with adults who had hiv. now i'll bring both worlds together. i am very very lucky to have a wonderful partner who is willing to do this with me.

lauritasol · Sep 12, 2005

mostly for the cnm part- if i had stayed in california i could have worked as a pa midwife, but that is an exception. so.... after years of wishing , i decided i would get older whether i went back to school or not, so... i went now the level 2 haircolor still works (in case you don't know, that's the one that isn't permanent and washes out in a month or so- works until you're REALLY grey. cough cough)
i was a homebirth midwife, moved onto being a pa and worked for a community health center msotly doing work with adults who had hiv. now i'll bring both worlds together. i am very very lucky to have a wonderful partner who is willing to do this with me.

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.