DNP for midwifery! (Baylor)

DaniellaHumphreys · Jul 25, 2014

Hi there! So I don't know anything about Baylor but I can tell you the difference between a Masters and Doctorate in Midwifery. A masters and doctorate in midwifery provide you the same training to become a CNM, the only difference between a MSN and a DNP is that the DNP provides some courses on research in your specialty in case you wanted to go into research one day in Midwifery. Having a DNP also provides leadership and teaching courses in your studies in case one day in the future you wanted to become a proffessor for a Midwifery program at a university. However both a MSN and DNP give you the exact same training to become a CNM and work as one, Like I said the DNP just allows you to teach the speciality and know more in depth for research purposes if thats your thing!

Babylove2013 · Jul 25, 2014

Hello, I am certainly not an expert on the DNP, but I just wanted to add that I applied to the Frontier nurse-midwifery program and will being doing the DNP if I am accepted... one of the important reasons for me personally is the additional clinical hours. For example, the MSN includes 675 clinical hours and completing the DNP will include 360 additional clinical hours. That is 50% more clinical hours.... I am one of those nurses who applied and applied to L&D jobs and unfortunately was not successful in securing one; because of this I am worried about two major issues: one being raw experience in labor and delivery and the other being actually getting hired as a CNM without this on my resume. It seems like getting the DNP will make a dent in both of those problems, not solve them of course, but make a dent.

mickey1172 · Nov 7, 2014

Babylove2013,

What FNU class did you apply to for your DNP 133 or 134. Where you accepted? I just applied to the FNU DNP class 134...anxiously awaiting if I was accepted!

JessicaDanielle · Nov 8, 2014

Babylove2013,
What FNU class did you apply to for your DNP 133 or 134. Where you accepted? I just applied to the FNU DNP class 134...anxiously awaiting if I was accepted!

Mickey1172

I applied for FNU CNM class134! I've been dying to hear something! So nervous! I created a thread further down on the CNM page looking for others that applied to class 134. If you hear anything, you should comment on that thread so we can all keep track of one another!

Simplyroses · Nov 8, 2014

Hello, I am certainly not an expert on the DNP, but I just wanted to add that I applied to the Frontier nurse-midwifery program and will being doing the DNP if I am accepted... one of the important reasons for me personally is the additional clinical hours. For example, the MSN includes 675 clinical hours and completing the DNP will include 360 additional clinical hours. That is 50% more clinical hours.... I am one of those nurses who applied and applied to L&D jobs and unfortunately was not successful in securing one; because of this I am worried about two major issues: one being raw experience in labor and delivery and the other being actually getting hired as a CNM without this on my resume. It seems like getting the DNP will make a dent in both of those problems, not solve them of course, but make a dent.

Frontier MSN only requires 675 clinical hours? Wow. My program at OHSU will have me with over 1000 hours prior to our last integration clinical, so we graduate with over 1500 hours of clinical experience. The DNP will double that thanks to the 9 month clinical residency.

Simplyroses · Nov 8, 2014

I am so excited because a couple days I found out that there are DNP programs available for midwives!! So, my main question is how is this different from a master's prepared midwife?
Also, the program at Baylor caught my eye. Does anyone have any experience with this one?? It seems awesome. Thanks!!

To clarify: The MSN programs will qualify you to sit for the certification exam to become a CNM. There are two routes after the MSN. You can get your PhD, which is a focus to actually conduct research and some universities prefer the PhD if you are to be faculty. The DNP is a focus to help you translate research into clinical practice, improving evidence based practice. Some universities would like their faculty to have a DNP to be clinical faculty. The ACNM is not planning on requiring a DNP or PhD as the entry to practice for midwives.

Jen_Loves_Nursing · Nov 9, 2014

University of Utah has midwife DNP program

lighthouse2 · Nov 10, 2014

I too am looking into fnp for cnm and dnp. Id love to hear more advice. Im finishing up my bsn. I want l&d position! It is my passion.

mamagui · Nov 10, 2014

Frontier MSN only requires 675 clinical hours? Wow. My program at OHSU will have me with over 1000 hours prior to our last integration clinical, so we graduate with over 1500 hours of clinical experience. The DNP will double that thanks to the 9 month clinical residency.

That's awesome that your program prepares you so well!!! Unfortunately, not everyone lives in where there are brick and mortar schools with midwifery programs. That limits choices for people that want to become CNMs, obviously.

I can say this about Frontier, the midwives that work at the birth center where my daughter was born say that Frontier produces excellent midwives and they even precept their students. From what I gather, Frontier has a great reputation. They are the first University in the US to confer the MSN Midwfery.

Simplyroses · Nov 14, 2014

That's awesome that your program prepares you so well!!! Unfortunately, not everyone lives in where there are brick and mortar schools with midwifery programs. That limits choices for people that want to become CNMs, obviously.
I agree. I wish I lived in Portland. I commute every week from 300 miles away to attend OHSU, and I can honestly say the faculty makes the trip worthwhile.
I agree that Frontier does have a great reputation! I chose not to do Frontier because there are very few midwives in my hometown and the maternity care is very medically modeled. I know the OB care in my town and I wanted to learn something different. Since I plan to practice in my hometown, it will bring a new perspective to the area.