CNM/FNP question

[rac1, ASN, BSN, RN]

I'm curious about how many have gone CNM route, only to decide that CNM was not a good choice.

In the past month I have heard several people tell me that they thought CNM was what they wanted, only to find out that it was not at all what they wanted. The last person I heard from was not someone I was close enough to ask "why?" to - and honestly, I feel like I do not even want to hear the "why" because the only reason I went into nursing is to obtain my CNM. However, I feel like if this is something common, I should probably stop ignoring it and pay attention to at least rule it out. I still have one semester left of nursing school, so I have time. But I have a background in midwifery (assistant/homebirth), doula, CBE, etc. So I am fairly positive this is what I want. However, many of these other women were too, so I am curious to hear what exactly changed their minds.

Also, besides Emory - does anyone know of other dual CNM/FNP programs? I prefer FNP over WHNP if possible.

Thanks in advance!

=)

[rac1, ASN, BSN, RN]

Oh - another question!

What type of job would you suggest a new nurse to go into that is planning on applying to Grad school? Everyone says "med/surg" of course, but I am curious to hear from CNM's...? I am thinking because I want to do dual CNM/FNP, med/surg would be the best route as far as gaining assessment skills - but I'd like to hear what others' opinions are too. Thanks again!

[klone, MSN, RN]

Not a CNM, but have worked with dozens of them in my years. I personally don't know of any CNMs who decided later on that they wanted to be a FNP. I've heard of a few who made that decision in school and then changed courses. I personally know of two CNMs who started out as FNPs and then realized they really wanted to be CNMs and went back to school to make that happen.

If you want to be a CNM, then I would recommend trying to get a nursing position in OB. Frontier doesn't have a dual program, per se, but they offer both the CNM and FNP programs - you can do them consecutively (but not concurrently).