difference between CNM and CPM

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i was wondering what the educational differences are between a CNM program and a CPM program...i found a great CPM program that looks like you cover ALOT of information that i just dont see being covered in the courses that the CNM programs are offering...i could very well be wrong since they usually just list the subject/course and no description, but im starting to wonder if i would be better off doing a CPM program? any thoughts? i am heading to school now to get my RN degree...honestly i just have no idea what i am going to learn and if i will learn all necessary aspects of midwifery just doing a masters program? excuse my ignorance and any guidance is much appreciated! thanks!!

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

CPMs generally do not have a requirement of being an RN first, and I don't think CPMs are able to practice in hospitals.

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thank you for replying!

i am more so looking for the education differences, different classes that you get as a CNM that you dont get as a CPM and so on...everything i have read so far seems to me like i would learn more as a CPM but that doesnt really seem to make sense, seeing as i would be getting my masters as a CNM? HELP!

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

I don't know, I'm not familiar with any CPM programs and the classes they offer.

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Specializes in Maternal-Fetal.

I haven't looked into CPM programs either, but is it possible that they are covering more because the student doesn't have the medical background? It would seem like an RN would definitely have a head start in that department.

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i have spent the last year looking into both cnm and cpm schools what it comes down to is the legal status of where you live, and if you want to do homebirth/birth center, or hospital/home/birth center. you can check the mana website http://mana.org/statechart.html to see your states laws.

cpm's do homebirths, depending on the state you live in you may or may not be able to carry o2, pit, or suture kits... and in some states it illegal all together...

cnm's are legal in all of the us, can work in hospitals or do homebirths (in most states.)

as far as schools to become a cpm there are 9 meac accredited schools (depending on your state, depends if you need to go to a accredited school), but you can not transfer any credits you get at meac schools any other college...

if you want to know more about become a cpm read heart & hands by elizabeth davis or feel free to send me a pm.

good luck!

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You can also become a CPM without going to 'school', just by doing self-study or distance courses and maintaining your portfolio of births/exams you have done through an apprenticeship (note: the apprenticeship is extensive, hard to find, and it can take years to complete your portfolio). Once you have met the requirements with your apprenticeship portfolio, you then can present it to the NARM (north american registry of midwives) and they decide that you can sit for the NARM exam, which certifies you as a CPM (though there are a lot of other state licenses to wade through... the non-CNM world of midwifery is full of terms and titles and licenses -- basically, it's all really loose, and terms/licenses apply state-by-state or region by region). You can sit for the NARM because you went to a MEAC-accredited school and met the school's requirements, OR you can submit your portfolio for review and NARM says you're ready for the exam (I think that's how it works -- haven't ever looked into portfolio review, myself).

I just attended a MEAC-accredited school for a while, and now I'm finishing up my CNM applications -- I left the CPM world because I don't want to be limited in where I practice, and I want to work with a more diverse socioeconomic spectrum of women. I don't mean to sound harsh, but at this point in the culture of healthcare, CPMs do mostly homebirths, and that means working mostly with women on the more affluent end of the scale, at least in my experience. This is changing right now, because in some places (where CPMs can practice legally, which isn't everywhere!) CPMs can get insurance reimbursement, but I just wanted to be able to go out and WORK and see lots of women and help them have good birthing experiences. Also, I'm not really that interested assisting at homebirths and (again, this is changing - it's really an exciting time for midwives of CPM or CNM ilk) that's primarily what CPMs do at this point.

Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
You can also become a CPM without going to 'school', just by doing self-study or distance courses and maintaining your portfolio of births/exams you have done through an apprenticeship (note: the apprenticeship is extensive, hard to find, and it can take years to complete your portfolio). Once you have met the requirements with your apprenticeship portfolio, you then can present it to the NARM (north american registry of midwives) and they decide that you can sit for the NARM exam, which certifies you as a CPM

The midwife who attended my homebirth ten years ago did it this way.

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