Nurse Midwife vs Labor and Delivery RN. Can't Decide

Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2017

To become a CNM, one must first be an RN - I don't know of any direct-entry CNM programs - it just isn't safe. And yes, L&D experience is what is needed. Just to let you know, though, a lot of new grads seek L&D spots so they can be competitive and hard to come by.

roser13, ASN, RN · Sep 17, 2017

Prioritize. Go to nursing school. Pretend that you don't have a specialty planned. Be open to any field of nursing that might come your way.

Paula378 · Sep 17, 2017

I should have specified this in my original post, but for midwifery I was looking into accelerated MSN programs since I have a non nursing bachelors degree. For example, the programs at UPENN and Vanderbilt.

Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2017

So is your plan possibly to not work as an RN prior to being a CNM?

If so, I must stress again that this is not a safe option. I am 36 weeks pregnant and my CNMs were RNs in L&D before becoming CNMs. I wouldn't accept it any other way. Experience is necessary especially in the delivery room, where things can go south very quickly *and* the population served is much more likely to pursue legal action should the worst (or not even close to the worst) can happen.

If you are going for the accelerated MSN route, fine, but I believe it greatly behooves you to work as an RN prior to obtaining a post-Master's CNM certificate.

MurseJJ · Sep 17, 2017

If you can't decide, then why not do both? Do an accelerated BSN program, work as an L&D RN, get good experience, then apply for the MSN CNM?

klone, MSN, RN · Sep 17, 2017

Most CNMs start as L&D nurses. Get your BSN, work in L&D, and then after a few years, go back to school for your CNM.

klone, MSN, RN · Sep 17, 2017

To become a CNM, one must first be an RN - I don't know of any direct-entry CNM programs.

There are some graduate programs in the NE that have CM programs (non-nursing midwifery). SUNY is one, I believe. Graduates are only recognized in a few states, though (from my understanding).

Paula378 · Sep 17, 2017

Honestly, I was trying to avoid getting more degrees, especially since I already have an undergrad degree. School is so incredibly expensive and a ton of work.

klone, MSN, RN · Sep 17, 2017

Honestly, I was trying to avoid getting more degrees, especially since I already have an undergrad degree. School is so incredibly expensive and a ton of work.

I guess you could become a lay midwife and do homebirths. No degree required.

But if you want to work as a midwife in the hospital setting, you will need more degrees.

MurseJJ · Sep 17, 2017

Honestly, I was trying to avoid getting more degrees, especially since I already have an undergrad degree. School is so incredibly expensive and a ton of work.

You could go to the in-state program for your BSN, work, get experience in L&D, pay down loans, then you could apply to the CNM program and use tuition reimbursement that many hospitals/unions provide.

NurseKait_11, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2017

I would definitely get experience as a L and D nurse before starting school to become a CNM. I think that nursing experience in L and D would be really, really helpful in the long run. I did my practicum in L and D and saw many births where midwives were delivering and the team work between the nurses and the CNM was great. The CNM could anticipate what the nurses needed the patient to do because she had been there before, how to position to push etc. and I could see that the ones that didn't have much or any floor nursing experience didn't really have that ability. Of course, nurses can go straight to a CNM but I definitely think it'd be good to put your RN to use and get some L and D experience!