Am I too old to become a CNM

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Specializes in ob.

I am in my mid 40's. I have been an RN since the tender age of 21. I have more than 20 years OB experience and an MSN in nursing education. I really like patient care. I had thought seriously about becoming a CNM a number of years ago, but had multiple home and work responsibilities which prevented me from pursuing the midwifery degree because of the time committment to school. I like and do not like nursing education (staff development). I also still work in L/D. My goal would be to work in a hospital setting, maybe covering L/D or being employed in a setting where I did clinic and hospital work. Home birth is a viable choice for some, but it would not be the setting where I would want to practice as a CNM. Realistically, would a hospital hire a 50 year old new grad CNM? I have a wealth of knowledge as an RN, have multiple certifications, and have always done well in school. I do not want to invest more time in school if I am not marketable. This ambition just keeps pulling at my heart. I love patient care and I think I have a lot to offer. Thanks for any input.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Sounds like you are at the perfect time in your life for it! Honestly after 20 years of experience I'm sure you would be an asset to any practice as a CNM. You love pt care, so what better way continue your love of that and L&D than as a midwife. I don't know about you, but I probably cannot retire until I'm 72( or older) so there are plently of work years left!

Your never too old to learn and you already have an MSN so just a couple more years to go. I have only been a RN for a year, but I know this is where I'm headed eventually.

Good Luck!

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Dear Oldenurselady,

Your questions really spoke to me because I have been struggling with similar thoughts and doubts. I am even older than you...I would love to go back to my 40's and be where you are.

Too many things in life come with no guarantee. I say - go for it! You really are at a great age to accomplish this dream and to bring your experience and maturity into it. I don't know your past education experiences, you already have the MSN... but I think you'll find that going back as an "older" student has it's advantages. You bring a different perspective into it, and it's interesting to get the "younger" students perspectives.

Unfortunately for me, I know that I'm too old to go for CNM, but I still drool over Frontier's program. ( OK, not a good example...)

You sound like you will be great at this - you have the determination, brains, and experience - not to mention compassion and desire to succeed.

Just do it! :twocents:

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Specializes in ER.

Omg...Why would you think you will not get accepted because of your age! You sound like you would be perfect for the job and any employer would hire you. Years are gonna pass by and you're gonna get older anyways..you might as well get older and get your masters degree and become a midwife like you want! Just do it!

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Specializes in L&D , NICU.

hi there,

wow, so great reading your question as it could have been me writing the very same one! i am just 52, in great shape, athletic, will watch my youngest graduate from college this weekend, and just sent off for a admission packet from frontier!

we are in the prime of our lives and i am suddenly feeling like this is something i have wanted my whole life, but when midwives were having a hard time back in the 80's, i decided i loved my work in l&d so opted for a msn in neonatal nursing...keeping me in and around the delivery room for 10 years.

after a ten year hiatias....i am determained to go back and get my degree in midwifery...life is short...so for all of us "seasoned gals", good luck to us....hopefully the next time we chat...you too will be filling out your application!

good luck....

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I'm 41, a licensed midwife in my first year of an RN program... hoping to bridge to CNM with Frontier when I'm done. So, IMHO you're not too old ;)

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Go for it!! Your nursing and life experiences will make you a great midwife. I would not choose a midwife in her 20's or even early 30's personally!! I am 34 and will be a CNM in May 2012, when I am 36. I had my daughter at 31 - a planned homebirth with a wonderful (50-something) midwife, and I decided I wanted to do the same... I am still a spring chicken, and so are you. Midwives with time and experience under their belts are so much more valuable than those fresh out of school - who have only seen and attended the few births they are required to for school... I think you would be VERY marketable as a CNM. Good luck and enjoy your new career!!

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Specializes in Adult internal med, OB/GYN, REI..

It's amazing how intimidated we get by considering this career isnt it?

I talked myself out of my CNM dream about 6 years ago when I decided to go for my FNP instead (despite seeking out my nursing degree/career and held all OB/NICU positions with the goal of becoming a CNM!) and now I have been practicing as a FNP for 2 years, and want to go back and get my post masters certificate as a CNM. I am 8 mths pregnant, though and am deliberating whether THIS is a good time to do so.... Argh. We worry so much! I think that ultimately if you (and I!) want and need to do this-- I mean, my heart strings and soul gets tugged excitedly whenever I see birth videos (which we've sat thru a lot lately in our Bradley birthing classes) and as i a rereading my midwifery books! I of course get freaked thinking about being a new mommy and the schedule that a cnm lives-- I fear those days that i will be on call and need to run off during inopportune moments in my babe's life.... But certainly every position that we can hold will be different and maybe i can individualize as needed?

Follow your heart and bliss!

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Specializes in Women's Health, L&D,hi risk OB.
I am in my mid 40's. I have been an RN since the tender age of 21. I have more than 20 years OB experience and an MSN in nursing education. I really like patient care. I had thought seriously about becoming a CNM a number of years ago, but had multiple home and work responsibilities which prevented me from pursuing the midwifery degree because of the time committment to school. I like and do not like nursing education (staff development). I also still work in L/D. My goal would be to work in a hospital setting, maybe covering L/D or being employed in a setting where I did clinic and hospital work. Home birth is a viable choice for some, but it would not be the setting where I would want to practice as a CNM. Realistically, would a hospital hire a 50 year old new grad CNM? I have a wealth of knowledge as an RN, have multiple certifications, and have always done well in school. I do not want to invest more time in school if I am not marketable. This ambition just keeps pulling at my heart. I love patient care and I think I have a lot to offer. Thanks for any input.

Dear oldenurselady,

I've been told that people don't get old, clothes do! Do you really think you'll be 50 before you get out of school? Nah. You will be late 40s. Know some great CNMs who started at 50. That is historically how many midwives started....just seasoned! I think you know the answer! Well wishes to yah! Frontier sounds like it could be great for you! (Can we say that here?) I can just see it!

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I really appreciate this thread. I just graduated from my ADN program at 37; I've transferred to my BSN program, and want to fulfill the dream I've had since I was 16 and found Spiritual Midwifery in the dusty basement of a used bookstore where I worked. In just planning my BSN courses, though, Frontier seems so far away...in my head I have every confidence that age means nothing, especially in midwifery, but sometimes it is hard not to get discouraged or think of experience as time wasted instead of what it is, an ASSET. Good luck to everyone here!!!

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