How to become an OB/GYN after receiving a BSN

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 12, 2015

Becoming an OB/GYN requires a medical degree, and thus completing medical school, residency, and all that that entails. The options for advanced practice nursing are certified nurse midwife (CNM) and women's health nurse practitioner (WHNP). To be a practitioner, you will need to complete an NP program. There are two different types: masters degree and DNP. Start by looking at what schools in your area offer.

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 12, 2015

With a BSN, you can apply to medical school. As Rose Queen said, that is how you would become an OB/Gyn.

AspiringNurseMW · Jan 12, 2015

Depends on what in OBGYN you want to do and what type of provider you want to be. I have no interest in going to medical school and being a OBGYN. I want to deal with mainly low risk pregnancies and delivery, care for women lifetime gynecological needs. So my plan is to be midwife (MSN) and eventually a WHNP

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 12, 2015

Just curious - why CNM *and* WHNP?

I'm always very curious when I hear of people who want both certifications. I can understand becoming a WHNP, and then later going back for CNM. But when someone says they want to be a CNM and also a WHNP, I don't get it.

Just so you understand - a CNM can do EVERYTHING a WHNP can do, *plus* they can catch babies. So in that sense, a WHNP is a more limited degree than a CNM.

**LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM** · Jan 12, 2015

I've known a few people to get both certifications if they think they might want to work solely in an office at some point in the future, not doing deliveries. In this case, they apply for malpractice under the WHNP certification and it is significantly cheaper (sadly) for the practice than if they use their CNM cert. This is the only reason I can think of offhand, otherwise, totally agree with above.

AspiringNurseMW · Jan 13, 2015

Just curious - why CNM *and* WHNP?
I'm always very curious when I hear of people who want both certifications. I can understand becoming a WHNP, and then later going back for CNM. But when someone says they want to be a CNM and also a WHNP, I don't get it.
Just so you understand - a CNM can do EVERYTHING a WHNP can do, *plus* they can catch babies. So in that sense, a WHNP is a more limited degree than a CNM.

Actually did not know that. For some reason I thought WHNP had a wider scope outside of birth . I don't know where that idea was based in. I think what I really meant to say was pursuing a DNP or additional certification for teaching , eventually I think I'd like to teach.

adpiRN · Jan 17, 2015

I'm confused by the OP. I figure she must have meant midwife right??

As a midwife you'd have the same scope of practice as an OBGYN except you can't do surgery. But in some states midwives can assist in c-sections!

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 17, 2015

No, not really same scope of practice. Midwives don't manage high risk pregnancies.