CNM confusion...

[justme83]

I'm currently in my last semester of my BSN and am considering continuing on to become a CNM. Someone from Frontier came to our school today to talk about their programs and I'm just a little confused. With the requirement that is coming for DNP, I'm wondering if that will apply for someone wanting to become a CNM. Instead of a master's program, will it be the DNP? The impression the woman from Frontier gave our class was that it will only affect those wanting to become nurse practitioners. Any clarification that can be provided is appreciated!

[blackbird singing]

American College of Nurse Midwives' Position on the required DNP:

http://www.midwife.org/documents/ACNMonDNP.pdf

Basically, they don't support it as an entry to practice "at this time."

[mya612, BSN, RN]

My understanding is that the CNM credential is different from the DNP credential - sort of like a Family Practitioner MD and an OB/GYN. NPs (or DNPs if you will) will be able to do a little of everything, while CNMs will only focus on womens reproductive health (specifically antepartum/partum/postpartum care). Hope this helps.

[mya612, BSN, RN]

BTW, you will only need the MSN as a CNM to be a CNM. Look at East Carolina's program as well. May be more affordable than Frontier and is completely online. As of July 2012, there will no longer be subsidized Stafford Loans for grad students, so the less expense grad school is, the better. Subsidized loans don't accrue interest while you're in school and unsubsidized loans do. With both types of loans you have the option of not paying on them until 6 months after graduation, but for every month you don't make an interest payment on the unsubsidized loan, the interest is tacked onto your loan principle and you end up paying interest on interest. They passed this bill in August in order to protect the federal Pell grant program.