CNM Market Saturation?

[aspiringcnm3, RN]

Hi everybody,

(I also posted this in the CNM section but that isn't always very active)

I always hear about NP, specifically FNP, market saturation. It is very difficult to find information online about this for CNMs. I have tried to check out ACNM's website... and any government website just lumps CNMs in with NPs which isn't helpful. I always imagined CNM wasn't necessarily the most "desirable" specialty, because it often involves long hours and on call time (compared to a path that would grant you a 9-5 type of schedule) - of course, if it's your calling, you love it for what it is.

So I figured I would ask here. Do you think there's too many CNMs being produced? Is that first new grad CNM job difficult to snag (say, more difficult than snagging a new grad RN job)? Is there a driving down of wages due to supply and demand issues? I'm particularly interested in the East Coast area experience.

Thanks in advance!

[verene, MSN]

Can't speak for everywhere but I know from my university the CNM cohort (many of whom I knew/know well - though I was in a different APRN cohort) that finding jobs was challenging. I think only 1 or 2 found jobs locally, while all have ended up employed, the program warned them from day 1 that relocating/casting a wide-net for jobs was highly recommended. So definitely over-saturated in some geographic areas.

[Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM]

I'm a CNM and there isn't a market saturation. There is, however, a lack of education.

Do you know how I got my first CNM job? My school offers both FNP and CNM programs. The job advertised for a FNP at a OB/GYN office and they had never had a CNM working for them. I was actually told by the recruiter that they would bring me in for an interview but they were more or less "entertaining" me since they had never interviewed with a CNM.

When I went to the interview I took the curriculum for both my CNM program and the FNP and explained the difference.. They had no earthly idea there was such a drastic difference in programs. I got the offer the next day.

They had always been used to doing MONTHS worth of orientation because prior to me, they had always used FNPs. My orientation took a week and only because I needed to learn how they charted and their general office flow. They could not believe that I was able to hit the ground running.

[ToFNPandBeyond]

13 hours ago, Jory said:

I'm a CNM and there isn't a market saturation. There is, however, a lack of education.

Do you know how I got my first CNM job? My school offers both FNP and CNM programs. The job advertised for a FNP at a OB/GYN office and they had never had a CNM working for them. I was actually told by the recruiter that they would bring me in for an interview but they were more or less "entertaining" me since they had never interviewed with a CNM.

When I went to the interview I took the curriculum for both my CNM program and the FNP and explained the difference.. They had no earthly idea there was such a drastic difference in programs. I got the offer the next day.

They had always been used to doing MONTHS worth of orientation because prior to me, they had always used FNPs. My orientation took a week and only because I needed to learn how they charted and their general office flow. They could not believe that I was able to hit the ground running.

I'm not even in midwifery, but your point is so on target!

Moral of the story, don't limit yourself. Apply for various positions, even those that request for FNPs in reproductive health because chances are, they may not even know what they want.

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

Demand varies by location. Please research the demand for CNMs in different locations.

Here is an example of information on CNM job prospects, from the State of California EDD:

https://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/OccGuides/Detail.aspx?Soccode=291161&geography=0604000037