Calling all Women's Health Nurse Practitioners!

zenman · Feb 26, 2006

You'll probably feel something shaking soon as your post is moved to the NP thread!

beckinben, CNM · Feb 27, 2006

I'm doing midwifery, not WHCNP, but I can probably answer your question....

Why CNM and not MD? Three reasons:

1.) I have a husband and two small children, and I want to have a little bit more of a life

2.) I didn't want to take physics to get into med school - physics scares the crap outta me

3.) I don't want to be a surgeon - I don't mind sewing up the 1st and 2nd degree lacs that I do, but I have no desire to spend 4 years learning how to do c-sections when all I want to do is catch babies and do prenatal/GYN care, I can call my backup or resident to come cut if necessary

I had the grades to get into med school - graduated summa cum laude with both my bachelor's degrees - but just didn't want the time commitment or the responsibility.

Hope that helps!

Becki

d4t4ch17d · Feb 27, 2006

Heh, excellent reasons. Especially the way you put the 4 years of medical school compared to CNM training, "4 years learning how to do c-sections".:rotfl: I too am married and have a child, so that is a big factor in my dicision as well.

Thanks a ton, I appreciate your reply.

FLAgal14 · Feb 27, 2006

Hi

Although I am not a NP yet, or in nursing school, but I just made the decision to go become a NP rather than a MD/DO and I'm interested in women's health, so I thought I'd chime in with my reasons. I actually got into med school this year but decided against it - aside from some of the reasons you stated (cost) one of the biggest reasons for me was quality of life. I have a lot of friends in med school right now, and a lot going through residency and they are so burned out, broke and have no lifes - have no time to even get in a relationship or start a family. Having a family is a big priority on my list and I'd have to say it was the main reason I decided not to go to med school. I know it's possible to do both - there are women out there that do - but they are also hard pressed for quality time because they are trying to do both. I really want to be there for my children and my husband - and I think that as a women's health NP you can get the best of both worlds - quality of life (family for me) and a career in the healthcare field doing something that you love (without going into as much debt as a MD/DO to do so).

Good luck! And believe me, you're not alone with deciding between the two degrees. It's a very hard decision and I hope that I don't regret it one day - but I don't think that I will.

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 27, 2006

I was more or less "pushed" into this role. I was the first assistant and clinic nurse with a very well-respected OB/GYN man. He wanted me to be NP in OB/GYN. So, I did it. I was young and did not have a clue about this type of career.

I then, after a few years, decided to add the FNP track (many reasons).

After being OB/GYN and Family practice NP for a few years, I thought I'd really like to be physician (that always stuck in the back of my mind). Applied and was accepted in med school. Before starting, I decided that I was were I needed to be.

I've not regretted the decision. But, I have to say, had I really given the matter serious consideration before securing the FNP, I might have gone on to med school.

I will never know, but am totally satisfied.

danceluver · Nov 2, 2011

I would like to revive this thread and see if anyone has any new thoughts to contribute? I was also wondering, can a WHNP help in C-sections? Or do they need to be an RNFA as well? Those who become WHNPs vs CNMs, why? Thanks!