FNP vs CNM?

Marina.h · Aug 18, 2013

Vanderbilt in Nashville has a dual CNM/FNP program. You should look into that!

Nurse-Midwifery/Family Nurse Practitioner (NMW/FNP) | Master of Science in Nursing | Vanderbilt University School of Nursing

IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Aug 18, 2013

I'm looking at second-degree programs (currently have a B.S. from UCSD) and am trying to decide between FNP and CNM..I know FNP is among the most competitive tracks since it is most popular, but I am also open to CNM. I'm just looking for some insight on "a day in the life" for each of these specializations!
Thank You!

Do you have any labor and delivery experience? If not...I would skip the CNM because I doubt you will be prepared for what you are getting into.

zmansc, ASN, RN · Aug 18, 2013

I think the first question should be which one would you be most interested in? There really are three answers to this question:

-- CNM, then go to CNM school.

-- FNP, then go to FNP school.

-- BOTH. Then pick the path to get both that will be easiest for you go do in the long run. This might be school dependent too, I.e. one school might make it easier to go FNP first and then CNM, while another might be the opposite. If this is your goal, I would strongly consider the joint programs.

As to experience, I am a strong proponent of having experience in the general field prior to starting NP (or CNM) school. I know I would not have been able to learn or understand and assimilate the material in my program if I didn't have related experience prior to starting it. Having said that, there are many on this board and elsewhere who did complete their programs and went on to be good providers who did not have experience before hand. If you are one of those who can learn and apply the material into your practice without needing the experience to build upon, then go for it!