CNM, FNP

Specialties CNM

Published

Specializes in L&D, Trauma, Ortho, Med/Surg.

So I finally get it.

I have been polling every nurse and professor since I started school - about what to do after I graduate.

I have had midwifery in my view for my entire life. I had all homebirths, and precepted as a student homebirth midwife - but my kids were more important so I stopped all of that. Fast forward to all the kids school-aged, and now I am about to graduate.

I have heard so many different opinions that my head just spins.

There is the typical "Do a year of med surg," from ya know....every med surg nurse.

Then from every single L&D nurse - they say "no, you don't need it...you can go straight into L&D." The only nurse that told me otherwise was one nurse that began in L&D, and decided after 3 years that she didn't like it, and (QUIT her job first) tried looking for another job, and no one would hire her until she had a year of med surg.

I am in my OB rotation. Had my first L&D clinical - and honestly, I can totally see why I have been told to do the year of med surg. It is just completely different. Two patients, and depending on the patient, there may or may not be a ton of assessing, and no pathos. So if I begin there, I may not be good at assessing and recognizing pathos? That is what I took away from the experience (although, I did love being there!).

The thing is - I really don't like med surg.

My long term goals are CNM, and I think eventually I will want a post masters FNP cert.

My current professor told me with those goals she would recommend me doing a year of ER nursing, THEN a year of L&D - then CNM school.

Anyone have an opinion? I mean...... I have asked everyone else in the world.... ;)

Specializes in OB.

I did two years of med/surg, then three years of postpartum nursing. Never did L&D for a few different reasons. I didn't like med/surg either, but like you, I felt like it was necessary for me so I slogged through. Only you can make the right decision for you, although as I'm sure you realize, your decisions will be based on the jobs available in your area.

You don't need any particular experience to be a CNM or FNP. I did a dual program straight out of my undergrad nursing program. The role of an med-surg RN is so different from that of either a CNM or FNP that it really makes no sense to think of it as pre-requisite. In my CNM program, none of the students had LD experience and only one had done postpartum nursing. Most had no RN experience and it is a top ranked program. As long as you have a good knowledge basis, you can learn to be an excellent midwife.

I have a similar background to you except I am 1 year into my "med surg experience". I definitely see how I'm learning a lot that's very important - but I don't think I couldn't have become a very good CNM if I had gone a different path. Where are you in the rest of your life? A job learning some nitty gritty nursing skills and working part time days (you gotta love 2 days a week schedule with full benefits) worked out well for me as a new Mom. If you're waiting to have your own kids until you get your CNM (for instance) you might want to move a little more quickly. I don't think there's a right or wrong answer - anything you do clinically speaking IMO will make you a stronger midwife, but life is only so long.

+ Add a Comment