CNMs in CT, Federal loan repayment, L&D

Mel_81_99 · Aug 24, 2013

I can't speak to the state of CT. But it never hurts to call and ask a CNM if you can visit with her and maybe shadow. I have actually applied to Frontier CNM class 119 and waiting to hear whether or not I am accepted. Good luck to you and best wishes.

mamagui · Aug 25, 2013

I spoke on the phone with someone from Phila U about the difference between MSN and MS Midwifery. She basically told me that the difference is that there are no 'nursing' classes, such as theory classes. You will sit for the same boards as a MSN goes and you will still receive the credential CNM. I have done some job searches for CNM jobs at midwife.com, as so far I have not encountered any that specify an MSN. They all say that you need to carry the CNM title with Master's level education, and that you need to have an active RN license.

The only real issue that I could see the potential for is if you only have an ADN and are trying to get a job at a hospital with Magnet status, as they would require you to have at least a BS in Nursing specifically. I am interested to see what other posters think about this as well. Were you considering applying to Phila U?

CNMidwife2Be · Aug 28, 2013

I spoke on the phone with someone from Phila U about the difference between MSN and MS Midwifery. She basically told me that the difference is that there are no 'nursing' classes, such as theory classes. You will sit for the same boards as a MSN goes and you will still receive the credential CNM. I have done some job searches for CNM jobs at midwife.com, as so far I have not encountered any that specify an MSN. They all say that you need to carry the CNM title with Master's level education, and that you need to have an active RN license.
The only real issue that I could see the potential for is if you only have an ADN and are trying to get a job at a hospital with Magnet status, as they would require you to have at least a BS in Nursing specifically. I am interested to see what other posters think about this as well. Were you considering applying to Phila U?

I know for a fact that without the MSN you could not practice in Oregon - they require a nursing degree to practice as CNM. I too looked into this issue bc while my preference would be to avoid the nursing classes (especially dreaded nursing theory type courses) I also worried about legal issues or discrimination. I actually have seen jobs that specify MSN although I don't know if they just mean to say masters-level degree and are forgetting that some schools like Phila U award MS degrees. Legally, in most states it just specifies graduate degree - not MSN. My bigger concern is really discrimination. However I think you could also make the case that a holistically minded midwife probably wouldn't want to work for a facility/ practice that would not consider them because their degree is a MS in midwifery rather than an MSN.

The other dimension to this issue is the looming DNP requirement. While ACNM is currently totally opposed to making the DNP the min requirement for practice the ANA is saying it will be the min req for 2015...Since the state boards of nursing regulate midwifery in most states and also control the education accreditation boards I've been wondering how it will play out.

In the end, I chose to attend Frontier Nursing U because I had consistently heard so many great things, it was less expensive than Phila U and because I wanted to eliminate this whole uncertainty around the MS degree issue. One term in Im feeling really good about my decision.

Babylove2012 · Aug 29, 2013

Hello Everyone,
I am an RN working on a Med/Surg unit in CT and haven't started my CNM journey yet as I am trying to get into L&D or OB (as I know many others are).. I have a few questions that I hope someone can help with.
Does anyone know, or is anyone, a CNM in CT and can you comment on the market for CNMs in this state? I was doing a casual google search and it looks like there was only one job posting for a CNM and it required L&D experience prior to the MSN! I found that really disconcerting as I don't know if I'll ever be able to get this. So I am curious to know if there is demand for CNMs in general in this state and also about the L&D component.. I wanted to get L&D experience just to make me a more comfortable and experienced CNM, but to know that it might make a huge difference on job opportunities has me worried.
Does anyone have any information or experience with federal loan repayment or loan forgiveness specifically for CNMs (and specifically in CT)? What I'm really curious about is if there was an opportunity would it be only clinic work or would there be a delivery component as well? I am concerned that opportunities which did not include deliveries would result in one losing CNM skills..
Does anyone know about these "Masters of Science in Midwifery" vs MSNs and if they would cause someone to be less desireable for potential employers? Example is Baystate..
Does anyone know if it would be appropriate to call random cnm practices and ask if someone can meet to discuss the career and ask questions (or dare I ask shadow?)
I'm feeling a little unsure about what path to take in the next five years... throw in a few kids and a husband and the hope to have one more (baby) plus a new house coming up. I'm leaning heavily toward frontier and can't wait to start this chapter of my life.. but I need some clarity.
Thanks in advance!

Thanks for all the replies everyone, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I probably will be applying to Frontier with the intention of completing the DNP. I was never interested before but it seems like this may be a good course of action with the current trends in nursing and healthcare in the US. What I'm really excited about however is the extra clinical hours for the DNP... my biggest concern is the idea that I may not get L&D experience before becoming a midwife. I'm sure I'm in the same boat with every prospective and current CNM student in that I want to become the safest and most proficient practioner possible, so with that in mind extra clinical hours training would be very favorable. I don't how competitive jobs are for CNMs but I have a feeling that for me getting my masters of science in nursing might be a safer option. I still need to interview some midwives in CT (so far I've only summoned the confidence to call one practice ha ha) and hopefully this will help me feel more confident and informed.

Can anyone comment on how confident and competent graduate CNMs are after completing minimum clinical hours in school? I wonder how many births (and different kinds of births) one needs to witness/take part in to be safe.

biggolp · Aug 29, 2013

Have you considered other ways of taking part in birthing?

I am a pre-nursing student heading toward the long road of CNM.

I am currently volunteering in a local hospital as a DONA-trained doula and working in a local birthing center as a Birth Assistant.

While I am obviously years away from 'catching babies', I am still very close to actual births and have learned a lot from being around wonderful (and less than wonderful) doctors and midwives.

mamagui · Aug 29, 2013

While I cannot comment from personal experience, according the the majority of posts that I have read your competence and proficiency will depend a lot on your preceptor. Good choice on Frontier, by the way. You can complete your DNP in only 1 term after finishing your Master's. No other school I have seen offers that!