FNP's in womens health/ CNM's! PLEEASE READ!

UTAlli · Jan 21, 2005

I have the same interests as you. I would like to enter an FNP program next fall, but plan on probably doing women's health.

I would love other people's opinions/experience with this too!!

HappyNurse2005, RN · Jan 21, 2005

there is a women's health nurse practitioner at my ob office (where i am a patient, not where i work). i honestly had not heard of a WHNP and asked her about it, and she said its essentially the same as a midwife, but she doesn't do deliveries.

CA CoCoRN, RN · Jan 24, 2005

Here in CA, specifically in Los Angeles, we have a very recognized WHNP program. The program (there are probably more, but I'm speaking of one particular, and what I know of those type programs) prepares you to be just that: a WOMEN'S HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER. And though it prepares you to diagnose and treat women throughout the life span, it does NOT entitle you, nor grant you certification as a CNM.

In other words...just because you are an NP and treat pregnant pts, does NOT mean you may follow them (manage their care) during intrapartal (delivery) period.

That I know, in order to do that you must be one of two things: An MD or a CNM. We've a couple of NPs on our unit....but that doesn't give them title to practice as midwives even though they staff the L&D unit. Heck, even if they were CNM, unless their contract/work agreement states that they are there for that capacity, then they would still "just" work as L&D RNs.

BETSRN · Jan 24, 2005

Allo there- You may oir may not have seen some of my bizarro/ indecisive posts here, but here is my situation-
I am a RN, work in L&D, became a RN because I wanted to become a CNM. Tings got delayed, and now I am in a rn-MSN FNP program, and I still fight daily with what i wanna be when i grow up.
I work also in a birth center, where i take call, and it is such a drag both to be on call, as well as to be called in, yet Iknow when i get there its a great birth and i am glad to be a part of proactive midwifery delivery and management.
essentially my issues are these:
can i work as a capable provider and legally within my scope of practice if i am a FNP who does womens health?
Should I just suck it up and do the midwifery training and aftewards decide if i want to do intrapartum care any longer?
will i get anough womens health if i do a fnp program?
obviously some of these issues are very personal, but i am going out of my mind here. At times I get so upset at how crappy obstetrics in this country are, and yet, i feel as though midwives care when no one, not even the patient does. Short- its thankless, and not dissimilar to beating your head against the wall. but then again, i feel like i am selling out, and taking a safe route just so that i canbe home at 6pm and have no call and still be able to teach yoga and sleep....an average amount!
please...if you are a graduate or practicing FNP...even better on the east coast so i can get a feel for geographical senstivities....please drop me some advice!!!
~ JoY

A CNM and a FNP are TWO specifically different areas of expertise. If you want to deliver babies then you ahve to be a CNM. As a FNP you cannot do that. If you want to combine both, then you better go for your CNM. Call is call and if you work as a CNM, that's what you get, plain and simple. It is part of the package! Good luck!

joyrochelle · Jan 24, 2005

Thanks for your posts... But i was coming from the vantage point of making sure that a FNP could practice women's health, NOT midwifery ( which would obviously include intrapartum management). I am very clear on the differences between a CNM and a FNP! ...never saw a FNP do a delivery at Yale L&D! :chuckle

I have recently talked to a FNP who had clarified that I could in fact practice womens health as FNP, and plcae IUD's and perform colposcopies, and it wouldnt warrant a WHNP or CNM. Many thanks, and take care all- JoY

CA CoCoRN, RN · Jan 24, 2005

Okay....clear. Just makin' sure you know what you're getting into and not risking yourself unnecessarily. Glad to hear that even though you're "confused"...you're not "stupid".

But yeah, as long as you've been properly training/prepared to do what you want to do...DO IT...and do it with gusto and grace!!

joyrochelle · Jan 30, 2005

Okay....clear. Just makin' sure you know what you're getting into and not risking yourself unnecessarily. Glad to hear that even though you're "confused"...you're not "stupid".

yeh, well i dont think i am "stupid"...at least last time i checked. but thanks for your kind words!