Psychology Bachelors Degree trying to become registered nurse midwife

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello,

I am a senior at a university in Maryland graduating in May. I currently am majoring in psychology and wanted to become an obstetrician gynecologist. Recently I decided that a CNM (certified nurse midwife) would fit me better. I was originally a chemistry major, so I have taken my biology, genetics, general chemistry 1 and 2, physics, calculus, and statistics. I want to get my masters in January 2019, but I need assistance in figuring out how I would transition from a psychology bachelor's degree to eventually a CNM. I know that some accelerated programs are offered that combine the basics of a nursing BSN and a masters, but I want to know about a variety of options.

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

A midwife I worked with in Denver went to SUNY and did their direct entry CNM program as a non-nurse.

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

As someone who was previously enrolled in a CNM program (decided I didn't want to be an APRN about 10 months into the program and withdrew), I agree with Libra that CNM programs are particularly "cutthroat" or super difficult to get into. I would not compare it to CRNA programs at all.

Direct entry for non-nursing bachelors "all-inclusives" take 4 years ...

Which direct-entry CNM programs take four years? Midwifery is not my area of expertise and I don't pretend to have all the answers, but the ones of which I am personally aware take three years or less.

Specializes in OB.

Yes, the certified-midwife route is a whole other pathway to consider if you plan to live and work in NY, NJ, DE, RI, or MO. You can bypass the nursing background all together, but you're only recognized in those 5 states currently. There is more info about the differences between a CM and a CNM on the website for the American Midwifery Certification Board:

Why AMCB Certification

Edited to add that apparently the CM credential is also recognized in Maine, which is new, so you have one more state as an option if you go the CM route.

Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

I see that most of MSN/CNM programs for RNs are 2 to 3 years long, depending on them being full or part time, which is norm for around 50 credits. They will have to add at least one full semester, if not a full year if summer is free, for nursing core courses for non-nursing bachelors even if students are not awarded BSN in process.

Very nice thing to see, though, is that the majority of CNM programs are brick-and-mortar and in otherwise high-ranked schools.

What I observed may be a regional thing as I only saw students from University of Michigan in a very busy practice. But, comparing to them rushing from one delivery to another and back to office in between in front of each other, I was looking like a lazy cat sunbathing.

Interesting thing about CM... another specialty adopting dichotomy after Anesthesia?

Specializes in Neuro/Trauma Critical Care.

I think your goal is definitely possible but will take a lot of hard work! I was in an accelerated bachelors program with many who, after graduating from the bachelor program, went direct entry into the nurse midwife program. They are all doing very well, although definitely many are feeling burned out from such a quick and intense pace of schooling. Every single student accepted into the direct entry program had a thorough history of being at least a doula, and there's a couple of CPMs (certified practical midwife). I would start on your prerequisites for nursing school ASAP and look into becoming a doula. I went to school at OHSU for reference, we have an amazing midwifery program and a great reputation.

Specializes in OB.
I see that most of MSN/CNM programs for RNs are 2 to 3 years long, depending on them being full or part time, which is norm for around 50 credits. They will have to add at least one full semester, if not a full year if summer is free, for nursing core courses for non-nursing bachelors even if students are not awarded BSN in process.

Very nice thing to see, though, is that the majority of CNM programs are brick-and-mortar and in otherwise high-ranked schools.

What I observed may be a regional thing as I only saw students from University of Michigan in a very busy practice. But, comparing to them rushing from one delivery to another and back to office in between in front of each other, I was looking like a lazy cat sunbathing.

Interesting thing about CM... another specialty adopting dichotomy after Anesthesia?

It's interesting, it was actually created with the intention of making midwifery in the U.S. more like midwifery in the U.K., where you don't need a nursing background to be a midwife, although many midwives are nurses too, with the thought that making it easier to be a certified midwife will help make midwifery more mainstream here. They haven't made nearly as much headway as they would have liked in the 15 or so years since it was created, but the climate for CMs has improved a lot in the last 5 years, IMO, particularly in NYC.

You're definitely correct that the majority of CNM programs are brick and mortar, and the ones that are online are generally quite well-regarded, as opposed to a lot of online NP diploma mills.

I have a Bachelors in a non-nursing field and my DREAM would be to become a CNM. I researched EVERY "Second-Degree Accelerated BSN" program in my area, picked the one I have the most prerequisites completed for and I just applied to it. I'm waiting to hear back. It's only 12 mo. long for a BSN. Then after graduation and working in L&D I will apply to a CNM program.

BUT there are schools that offer non-nursing bachelor programs that first get your Bachelors in nursing then transition into a CNM program (none near me sadly!) But maybe you can find a fit that works for you.

Look at The American College of Nurse Midwives. They list every school offering midwifery and click on the schools that say "Bachelor to RN CNM option" GOOD LUCK!!

https://portal.midwife.org/education/education-programs?reload=timezone

Specializes in NICU.

All I can tell you is my friend had a degree in journalism and wanted to be a legal nurse midwife, not just a lay one.

She returned to her original university got her RN degree worked in labor and delivery in a hospital for a year or so then applied to Midwifery school. So it can be done following the proper channels ,there are no short cuts.

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