FNP and CNM dual certification

[K-ron Marsalvo]

I posted this thread in the CNM area but thought I might get some opinions on it here as well:

Hello!

I am currently a BSN student with a previous degree in the sciences. I had always wanted to be both an FNP and a CNM, but in talking more with my professors they gave the impression that this was ultimately silliness. They expressed that keeping up with a dual certification would require a lot of hours of practice and added that jobs that required both were not very common. I have to admit I was saddended, but I do see people (faculty in MSN programs etc) who do both, on top of the many dual degree programs that exist out there. I am just hoping to hear from any people who are both a CNM and an FNP and are able to do both in their day to day. I suppose realisitically I assume I would get one and then be working and find a situation where I could use both and then get the second... run on sentence... Anyway any experience or advice would be great. Do you have to work in a big city to use both? In a doctor's office? I've heard some say it's great for rural areas (probably where I'll end up and where I want to end up) and underserved populations but who do you end up working for? Is it worth it? I've also heard people say I should just choose between them and not try to do both. Ack! so much advice but so far none of it's what I was hoping to hear!

Thanks in advance!

Ms. Marsalvo