CNM+PNP/FNP

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Hello everyone!

I am currently a BSN prepared RN who works in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. When I started nursing school, I thought for sure I would end up working in peds or on a L&D unit. I've been working in the NICU for a year now (it was my first job out of school!) and have begun looking at grad school programs. I really believe that I am being called into more of a primary care setting, thus the research into PNP programs and CNM programs.

I know that several universities offer combination programs of CNM with either Primary Care PNP or FNP. Has anyone out there enrolled in one of these programs? How has the school work load been for you? Have you continued to work as a RN either full or part time during school?

If you have completed one of these programs, which one? Do you feel it is beneficial to be certified in two specialties? What does your patient load look like?

Thanks for all your help! If you have any other tips, please do not hesitate to share!

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That's an interesting compliment to each other, the CNM and PNP. I imagine it'd be very rewarding being able to follow a patient from gestation through childhood, one thing to consider is the extra cost/work of maintaining two separate licenses. Not to discourage you, just something that was pointed out to me when I was considering doubling up with a PMHNP and an FNP to provide holistic care.

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That depends. If you don't plan on attending births and mainly want primary care setting, then I don't see the point of doing CNM, it's probably be better to go for WHNP

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I do want to attend births! I wish the ones I attend as a NICU RN were healthy ones... I think it would be incredible to attend the birth of a child and then also care for them as they grow.

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On 1/4/2016 at 7:31 PM, CharlyNICURN said:

I do want to attend births! I wish the ones I attend as a NICU RN were healthy ones... I think it would be incredible to attend the birth of a child and then also care for them as they grow.

Did you wind up doing one of these programs? I'm considering applying to UM for cnm/pnp. Would love any insights you might have!

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