ADN to CNM Bridge

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I am just starting out my journey to CNM. This will be my 2nd degree. My initial plan is to get my ADN at the local accredited college and then move to an ADN to CNM bridge. Has anyone else out there gone this direction? What CNM program did you attend and why? Is it essential to have some RN or L&D experience? (I'm considering adding in a doula program to help with this.) I've got a few schools on my radar to make sure I have the right prerequisites, but I'm having a hard time finding advice from CNMs who started out with their ADN. Thanks!

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I started as an ADN and did a dual CNM/FNP program. I went straight from my ADN to a bridge program and didn't have any problems but the program I attended also had a large direct entry program (for non-nurses) so they were very used to people without RN experience. Other programs will insist on some experience before beginning the program. Some clinical sites are also picky about taking students without RN experience. If you're thinking about a program that you have to arrange your own clinical, this could make things a little more challenging but its usually not a dealbreaker.

I certainly don't think one needs RN experience to become an excellent midwife (or other APN for that matter). The US is really the only country in which most midwives are required to be nurses. I do think it helps to have some kind of exposure to make sure you understand what you are getting yourself into. That could mean shadowing, training/working as a doula, lactation consultant, childbirth educator. Best of luck on your journey!

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Which program did you attend? I'm having a bit of difficulty finding programs that are set up like this. Thanks!

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Specializes in CNA, Pastry chef.
On 5/29/2020 at 9:11 PM, pro-student said:

I started as an ADN and did a dual CNM/FNP program. I went straight from my ADN to a bridge program and didn't have any problems but the program I attended also had a large direct entry program (for non-nurses) so they were very used to people without RN experience. Other programs will insist on some experience before beginning the program. Some clinical sites are also picky about taking students without RN experience. If you're thinking about a program that you have to arrange your own clinical, this could make things a little more challenging but its usually not a dealbreaker.

I certainly don't think one needs RN experience to become an excellent midwife (or other APN for that matter). The US is really the only country in which most midwives are required to be nurses. I do think it helps to have some kind of exposure to make sure you understand what you are getting yourself into. That could mean shadowing, training/working as a doula, lactation consultant, childbirth educator. Best of luck on your journey!

I would love to know which program you attended. Totally at a fork in the road currently.

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I went to Vanderbilt for my MSN.

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My daughter is in school for MSN/CNM. She started with an ADN.  She got her BSN online after she had been a nurse for aabout 10 years. She could have gone back sooner, but she was happy with the ADN until the hospitals in our area, really started to push the BSN. 

I think Frontier has a bridge program for ADN prepared nurses, but I heard they may be discontinuing it. I cnnot say 100% for certain, though. 

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