Advanced Degrees in Obstetrics

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery, Lactation.

Ok, so I have my BSN and I have been working as a labor/delivery nurse and lactation consultant for 6 years now. I am VERY interested and motivated to further my career. I want to be an EXPERT in OB. I would like to work on policies, do education, be involved with research and be an expert clinician, leader and consultant for obstetrics.

I don't really know what to do. I think what I'm really looking for is a Perinatal CNS degree. Which is out there but not easily recognizable and I would like to stay in my area for schooling or potentially online (Springfield, IL).

So, I have some options. I have considered CNM. I love the idea of this but I would want less clinical, do more research and education. I do not necessarily want to do "clinic hours" to see patients as my main focus.

Then, there are NPs. This is also similar to CNM however don't do deliveries (the most fun part!). Again, I want to be focusing more on research, education, policies and changing nursing practice instead of clinical hours.

So, I'm wondering if I'm looking an MSN to possibly DNP in the future and keep my interests in obstetrics. I'm going to go ahead and apply for the fall at UIS, but is this my best option? The college that I'm applying to (University of Illinois-Springfield) has a CNL program optional past the MSN and there is even a women's focus, but I'm reading mixed things about how much a CNL means. And I don't know what the women's focus would truly offer me professionally. It's hard to talk to people from the program because yes, I can see how more education is always beneficial, but will I be getting what I want out of it? Everyone knows what an OB-GYN is, a NP and a CNM. Is my degree as MSN possibly to DNP going to have merit and influence? Or should I pursue NP/CNM role in training and then keep my interests with research? Additionally, I am trying to keep in mind what my compensation will be. Right now considering call-time and overtime as a staff nurse vs. a 9-5/40 week no weekend job means that I'm doing this to advance my professional goals more than I am looking to make a lot more money than I do now.

Lastly, instead of an Advanced Generalist Master of Science, should I be looking at a Masters in Nurse Education, again with a focus in obstetrics? Most programs state that their Master's in Nursing programs are a springboard to other APRN roles. Is this truly the case? I don't want to waste my time and money and in the end be a "glorified staff nurse". I'm looking to be an EXPERT and a LEADER.

Am I pursuing something that is a unicorn? Great in theory but not so great when it comes to application? Obstetrics is blurry because everyone thinks deliveries and clinical work. Where does this role fit in?

Thoughts?

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

I am clearly biased, but I would go for your CNM, even if your long term goal is not so focused on patient care. It's a great credential to have, there are tons of things you can do with it, and like you said- they let you catch babies :)

I come from a homebirth midwifery background (CPM, licensed in Florida), but over the years my focus has always drifted more and more towards the public health aspects of midwifery care. I even moved away from doing deliveries to work in a public health clinic, and have never ever been happier in my whole life. I miss the juiciness of birth, but this kind of work is deeply satisfying in it's own right. I am hoping to get my PhD in public health and epidemiology, as soon as I get my student debt under control. I adore providing direct patient care, but I want to spend some of my time working on healthcare from a broader perspective, if that makes sense.

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Specializes in Women's Health.

It sounds like I typed this post. I have been an OB/GYN, L&D RN for 7 years and started feeling really passionate about going back to school. I wanted to focus on Obstetrics and research, but decided I do not want to be a provider. I love being a bedside nurse, and I have a passion for Education- patient, staff, personal, precepting, etc. I considered going back to school to become a CNM or a WHNP, but right now it is not for me. I have no interest in clinic, and being the provider for deliveries would be too stressful for me personally. I looked in to CNS for Women's Health, but there is currently no certification, and the job prospects after graduation don't look great. I have decided to start my MSN in Education this semester. The program I chose will allow me to focus my research on Women's Health. I hope to use this degree to continue with my bedside L&D nursing, but to also teach nursing students in lecture and in clinical as well. My program is strictly online (except for a 2 day orientation), and if I take 3 additional classes, I can get my certification in Nursing Administration as well. The University just ranked #7 in the nation for online nursing grad degrees. If I decide I like academia, I will pursue my Doctorate in Education. If I change my mind later, I may go back to school for my WHNP certification. There are so many options! It took me a long time to come to this conclusion, and although I am just only beginning my journey, I feel confident I am on the right path for my life right now. Good luck to you!

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K10jones

What school are you going to currently?

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Specializes in Women's Health.

UT Tyler :)

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Ok I was looking at their programs as well. I'd like to get into L&D and then move on to get my WHNP or midwife. Always looking around at schools and what not. I'm in Austin so that's not to far from me though I'd want to do online. Was also looking into going for my MSN for education to be an instructor. Just thinking I really would like to be in the L&D area....

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.
I am clearly biased, but I would go for your CNM, even if your long term goal is not so focused on patient care. It's a great credential to have, there are tons of things you can do with it, and like you said- they let you catch babies :)

I come from a homebirth midwifery background (CPM, licensed in Florida), but over the years my focus has always drifted more and more towards the public health aspects of midwifery care. I even moved away from doing deliveries to work in a public health clinic, and have never ever been happier in my whole life. I miss the juiciness of birth, but this kind of work is deeply satisfying in it's own right. I am hoping to get my PhD in public health and epidemiology, as soon as I get my student debt under control. I adore providing direct patient care, but I want to spend some of my time working on healthcare from a broader perspective, if that makes sense.

I am very interested in this. My background is biomedical research (cancer) and I have my MPH in community health and took quite a few maternal child health courses. I'm currently in my 3rd semester of an ADN program (peds, med surg 2, and LD). I thought for sure I was going to be a peds and/or oncology person based on my background - but I'm loving LD. LOVING it and feel (for the first time) a bigger "calling" to LDRP and becoming a CNM.

You say you are a CPM, what is that? Do you think the demand for CNMs is going to increase? How should I pursue this? I am already working on getting contacts for a CNM to shadow, in addition to my LD clincal time (which isn't much only 40 hours!)

Thanks in advance [emoji3]

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery, Lactation.

So, I ended up deciding to apply for midwifery at Frontier! I will hopefully start this October!

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Daiseymay,

Wow! I also feel like I wrote your post myself. You are my nursing twin! I have been an L&D nurse for almost 6 years now. I have RNC-OB certification. I love what I do, but I am currently torn between CNM or just getting a MSN in Nursing Education. I am interested in precepting, education (both patient and nurse education), creating new policies and updating old ones. I attend AWHONN conference every year. I am in love with everything OB and want to be an expert in the field. I actually would like to do deliveries and see patients in the office too. I too was unsure if CNM would still allow me to do the other things I am interested in. But based upon another posters response you can do a lot with CNM.

Congratulations to you on getting accepted last year to Frontier! I saw you post about it on another thread. How do you like the program? And what ultimately made you decide on the CNM route?

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