Midwife then Masters in Nursing

[has31]

I currently hold a B.S. in health science, CNA, Doula, CBE and CLEC. I would like to become a midwife who will be able to attend births at home and in the hospital. I have looked at the requirements for NP programs with a speciality in midwifery. They are all very hospital based programs. COuld I go midwifery school to become a CPM and then get my masters in nursing with a speciality in woman's health or something similar? If I went this route would I be able to assist with hospital births? Would becoming a CPM hinder any employment opportunities with a medical practice once I became a NP? Has anyone gone this route?

[klone, MSN, RN]

In order to attend hospital births, you would need to become a CNM, certified nurse-midwife, which is a master's degree in nurse-midwifery. A CPM would not allow you to attend hospital based deliveries, even if you had a master's degree in another nursing area.

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

ditto klone.

though if you are going to go get your Masters in nursing, why the CPM and not the CNM? CNMs dont have to work in the hospital...you can work in the community too. Also, there are many schools who offer dual CNM/WHNP programs.

[has31]

Thanks! I thought that maybe with a masters degree in nursing I could possibly be allowed to attend a hospital birth. I am interested in a more holistic model of midwifery, which is why I would go the CPM route. By having a WHNP I would have the level of knowledge as a CNM.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Thanks! I thought that maybe with a masters degree in nursing I could possibly be allowed to attend a hospital birth. I am interested in a more holistic model of midwifery, which is why I would go the CPM route. By having a WHNP I would have the level of knowledge as a CNM.

Well, you would have the level of EDUCATION, but I would not say you would have the level of KNOWLEDGE. There is a reason why one attends births and one does not.

You can still have a very holistic approach as a midwife, even as a CNM. As Melmarie stated, you can choose to attend both home and hospital births if you want.