CNM vs CM?

Specialties CNM

Published

There is this school to teach Midwifery, the link is http://www.midwiferycollege.org/ASM.htm

My question is, would a school like that be worth it? Or is it better to go for Nurse Midwifery? Is the job market better for CNMs over CMs? I do live in New Mexico, which is friendly toward midwifery.

Thanks!

Specializes in OB, Family Practice, Pediatrics.
It is just so hard to get all of those letters clear. Non nurse midwives in NM are known as LM. If they license the CM (those that take the same test as ACNM) then that will need to be investigated further. Again, the school posted is for gaining the CPM and then becoming licensed as non nurse midwife in whatever state the student lives in. In Colorado we are called RM for registered midwife. In most other states they use the LM designation. Of course other states do not license for non nurse midwifery at all. It is important to consider carefully any education path and be sure that it is getting you what you want.

Wisconsin does License non-nurse midwives; CPM, LM

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This program helps you get a CPM (narm.org) not a CM. Then you could be licensed in NM as a LM (I think that is the license) and not a CNM or CM. I do know a few who have gone through the program. I guess is just depends on your career goals. It is important to remember that CPM programs/licenses are completely unrelated to RN/CNM education and licensing (and jobs).

-Lynnette, first a CPM, then a RN, now in CNM school

Hello! I couldn't help but notice your pathway to becoming a CNM. I was just browsing old discussions and stumbled upon this one. I am a few posts away from PMing you otherwise I would have done so. My question/comment is a little off topic but I am currently in nursing school and have always envisioned myself on the pathway to becoming a CNM. I was wondering why you chose to pursue a CNM? I just thought that since there are no state restricitions and the option to work in a hospital is there with a CNM I would just do that. Upon more research and volunteering with a few CPMs I am second guessing the CNM route. Not much, just a little. I am curious as to what your two cents would be since you have both titles behind your name?

Thank you so much!

Robyn

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Specializes in PCU / Tele, ICU, Childbirth Ed., Hospice.

I, too, am wondering the pros and cons of CNM vs direct entry (whatever letters accompany that!). I am an RN (ADN), and would love to be a midwife. I'm more natural-minded, less policy oriented, though I know modern medicine has it's place, for sure! I've heard CNMs have to pay for $$$ , but perhaps CPMs don't?? I don't really want to work for an OB. I'd rather start my own birth center, and perhaps teach later on (as I get older). Suggestions, musings, advice???

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Specializes in Nurse-Midwife.

I used to be training to be a CPM, I'm now a nurse and a student nurse-midwife.

My main reasons for not continuing the CPM program are as follows:

1) Limited scope of practice

2) Lack of safe, evidence-based practice guidelines that ALL CPMs follow

3) Lack of the ability to build on the credential (nursing offers many more opportunities for career development)

4) CPMs generally work in solo practice, and this means being on-call 24/7 365 days a year - for the most part.

That said, I think I learned some valuable things apprenticing with CPMs at home births. I learned to think more like a provider, and assumed a lot of responsibility when I assisted at births. CPMs are very good at forming partnerships with women, and the midwives I worked with were very thorough in providing education to their clients. These things I learned from midwives I do as a nurse - or at least try to do. So I am grateful for that. But after a honeymoon phase with midwifery and OOH birth, I couldn't envision myself being a CPM for the rest of my life. I needed more than that. Nursing has provided me a more thorough education and lots of opportunities for career development. I don't ever feel like I'll be stuck in doing one thing for the rest of my life.

I encourage you to learn as much as you can about nurse-midwives and CPMs - and to learn from them. It will all be good and worthwhile experience.

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Great description QueenAnneslace! I totally agree. I considered the CPM pathway but found a lot of inconsistency. I know some excellent CPMs but I've also met several that I felt were unsafe (lacking essential knowledge). I think the main source of inconsistency is the apprentice pathway. You can only be as good as you preceptor. The CPMs who attended the 3year MEAC programs are much better. Still, I've known a couple who were not totally following EBP. I also didn't want to worry about carrying oxygen or meds legally - which is an issue in many states. Plus, the limitations of the lifestyle plus high rate of burnout seemed like a bad investment. As a CNM, I will be able to do home, birth center or hospital birth. I can retire from births and earn a living doing gyn care. Or teach. Or easily work internationally. It just seemed like a much better fit for me.

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