Aspiring CNM Pre-Nursing Student: BSN route or non-nursing degree to MN/CNM route?

Published

Hello!

So I'm an aspiring CNM! I need help and insight on what route to choose to become a CNM. I want to choose a route that is 1. Less difficult and 2. Less time consuming (don't take this to mean I'm lazy or not willing to work for what I want)

My first option would be getting my BSN and then applying to the CNM program. I'm a bit hesitate to this route because I don't necessarily want to go through nursing school or then have to work as a nurse for a year. Seeing the negative posts on allnurses about nursing school and working as nurse hasn't helped that much either!

My other option is getting a non-nursing degree in something that could possibly add to my career as a CNM (maybe Healthcare Management) and then apply to a 16-month MN program that is direct-entry to the CNM program.

I could definitely use somone who's looking at this from the outside-in, that could weigh the differences and shed some truth/reality on this. I would definitely appreciate any advice from anyone!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You can't be a CNM (Certified NURSE Midwife) without becoming an RN first. I didn't know there were any schools out there for a MN without having a BSN first.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You do realize that a CNM is a nurse? And that you have to be an RN before you can be a CNM regardless of the route?

Why not look into midwifery programs (CPM) if you don't want to be a nurse?

I don't even know what to say to the comments about wanting the fastest, easiest route.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My goal is to also become a CNM. I have done my research, and believe me if you want to work in hospitals around the country or any other country, you will need a background in nursing. Many states like Chicago you are not allowed to practice in a hospital or in your own as a professional midwife. And no school will take you to do your CNM without previous nursing degree

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You can get a degree to be a licensed practical midwife or lay midwife without a nursing degree. But do your research, while these midwifes are very skilled and talented, they are not as 'recognized' in the medical community. Any medical experience you can gain while working towards being a midwife will serve you well. I know nursing in a hospital isn't glamorous (I'm counting down the days until I can quit my hospital job and do OOH births), but a few years experience can help you feel more comfortable in talking and dealing with the hospital community. Any midwife, no matter their skills, will eventually have to transfer a patient that they have been overseeing. Take your time, age and experience is extremely valuable in this profession.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you guys, I appreciate the advice! Seeing that I need all the experience I could get, I am going to pursue my BSN!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would also recommend you to do a training as labor support doula, and find a company where u can work or volunteer to be a labor support doula during births. I think it will help you a lot getting experience and being close to births.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse-Midwife.

There are routes to becoming a CNM without ever working as a nurse:

Midwifery Education Programs

Baccalaureate degree (BA/BS) to RN and CNM/Graduate option -

Typically a 3 year program commonly referred to as "graduate entry" or "direct entry" which provides nursing + midwifery education to the Bachelor’s-prepared applicant.

There are a couple programs that train midwives to become CMs - the non-nurse equivalent of the CNM - a credential that is only recognized in a handful of states.

Certified Midwife option -

Graduate midwifery education for the Bachelor’s-prepared applicant who is not a nurse. Basic health-related prerequisite courses are required and the graduate is eligible to take the same national certification examination, administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board, as the graduate nurse-midwife. CMs are currently authorized to practice in only 5 states: DE, MO, NJ, NY, RI.

Having a BSN will give you more opportunities to be employed as an RN while you are going to school to become a CNM - and working as an RN is like paid learning. Which is pretty sweet. You may be learning more about what not to do, than what to do, as a midwife but all those experiences are valuable. Being a midwife is a huge responsibility and I would not advocate for shortcuts. I think the process training might be a wee bit short already. A residency requirement for new CNMs would be worth considering.

Anyway -there are routes to becoming a CNM (or CM) that aren't the traditional RN -> L&D nurse -> CNM route.

You'll have to look and see what works best for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Less difficult + Less time consuming = BSN + MSN

- ANY other route will take longer, cost more money and/or will limit where you can practice.

- You don't have to have nursing experience to get into a MSN program. It depends on the school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CNM.

I don't think they are as common as they used to be, but there are direct-entry Master's programs for CNMs...I think they are moving away from them so they are much harder to find. This type of program is where you have a Bachelor's degree in a non-nursing area and then you start your Master's of Science in Nursing in Nurse-Midwifery. Like I said, it's not common anymore, and I think Yale is one of the few that has it still.

Another option is to do the BSN program like you said and then go for the MSN. I would recommend this option if you are NOT close to graduating with a Bachelor's degree. If you already have a Bachelor's degree, then you have another option and I'll mention it in a second. However, if you have NO degree, I would HIGHLY recommend this option because once you graduate, you have a job and you will have income while you are working towards your CNM. ***Midwifery, NO MATTER what route you choose, is NOT A QUICK path*** I cannot emphasis that enough. Becoming a CPM isn't a quick thing either.

Now, if you are close to having a Bachelor's degree, there's another option for you, but it still involves nursing school of course. There are Direct-entry MSN programs (for example, Clinical Nurse Leader programs which as long as you pass the NCLEX at the end, you will become an RN) for people who are non-nurses and have a Bachelor's degree. Once you become an RN, you can apply to Midwifery schools and do a Post-Masters Certificate in Nurse-Midwifery.

If you can't relocate to do a Direct-enty MSN program, there are accelerated BSN programs that are for people who hold a degree in something other than nursing. So that is an option if you already have a degree.

If you are not interested in becoming a nurse, there's the CM route (which is certified by AMCB...same agency that certifies CNMs), but they are limited to only a few states to practice.

CPMs are also limited in the states they can legally practice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just graduated with my BSN and got a job right out of school in L&D. I will be starting graduate school in the fall (part-time) and plan to graduate in 2017! I loved this pathway and considered other options when I was your age. I feel I made the best choice. I was able (and fortunate) to get two internships throughout school both in L&D (with some PP).

PM me if you have any questions! Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Graduate school for Midwifery* (MSN)!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion