Online CNM courses?

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · May 1, 2012

I'm not in Florida, but just wanted to say that my Pediatrics instructor did an online CNM program at Frontier University. Frontier Nursing University - Distance Education from the Birthplace of Nurse-Midwifery and Family Nursing in America She told us it was a really good program .

futurehomebirthcnm · May 6, 2012

I would definitely recommend you do it through a university rather through one of the diploma mills.

I don't know if Georgetown covers Florida, but I hear their online CNM is pretty good: Certified Nurse Midwifery - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Program | Nursing@Georgetown

WannaBNursey, ADN, ASN, RN · May 6, 2012

I know it's a ways off, but I was looking at both universities. I just don't like that I'm required to travel to Kentucky to go to Frontier, and Georgetown looks impossible to get into. I was reading that Georgetown's CNM program doesn't cover Tennessee, how can I find out if it covers Florida?

I really like that Georgetown has the WHCNP program with their CNM program, so it covers all the bases. I wasn't able to find that with another online program.

futurehomebirthcnm · May 9, 2012

you can contact them per below:

admissions counselor

nursing@georgetown

georgetown university school of nursing & health studies

nursing[color=#a7a9ac]@georgetown admissions: 1-877-910-hoya (4692)

best of luck! :)

sjsa82 · May 22, 2012

I'm currently an RN student. I've had my heart set on being an OB-GYN prior to entering college, and after I discovered nursing I decided that I would rather do holistic health. However, I am still set on working with women and pregnancies and my ultimate goal is to become a CNM. There are no CNM specialties at my "local" universities (travel would be over 100 miles a day) and I don't plan on moving after I get my RN. What are online programs like? How do you do your clinicals and do you feel prepared for them? Do you think doing an online CNM program has prepared you for real work?
Also, what is the need for CNM's at this time? Would it be easy to find a job upon completion of a CNM program? I live in SW Florida, so if anybody knows anything about the need for CNM's in this area, I'd love to hear what you know!

Here's a list of all the top ranking CNM programs (although you'll have to do some research to find out which have distance learning): http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/midwife-rankings

I live in northern KY so I know that University of Cincinnati has an entirely online program with no required campus visits, but will probably apply for Frontier as soon as I'm able. I can't deny the wonderful reputation, it's only a 4 hour drive, and the Frontier Bound experience is said to be life-changing.

Good luck on your journey!!!

RNmilwife · Jun 29, 2012

I am in the CNM program at Frontier. 1st year. When I was researching schools I looked at University of Cincinnati since you don't have to travel for it but they require 1 year of L&D experience. It's so hard these days to get said experience because the hiring folks are only looking at L&D experienced nurses (at least in my area). The traveling to Frontier is not bad. If you already have a BSN then you only have to go twice and you have room and board so you don't have to go and stay at a hotel. Frontier does not require the GRE for anyone with 3.0 and above I think. Also I think Stony Brook's CNM program is online and doesn't require the GRE either. Some schools also offer dual program. I am thinking of getting my WHNP along with the CNM, it's only an extra term of clinical hours. .

WannaBNursey, ADN, ASN, RN · Jun 29, 2012

How do you like Frontier? I was looking at both Frontier and Georgetown when I haven't been studying or working. I'll apply to both after I get my BSN, but I'm leaning more toward Georgetown because they have the dual CNM/WHCNP and I figured I could do more with having both certifications.

I'm still interested in becoming a CNM, I'm concerned about hiring potential. Do hospitals hire CNM's? Where do they usually work at? I've wanted to set up a shadow, but I haven't been able to find any midwives in my area.

RNmilwife · Jun 29, 2012

i like frontier. they work very hard to give you a sense of community though you are doing your schooling online. i like that. over the past year we've all gotten to know each other pretty well. there is quite a bit of group work in some of the classes which is a little difficult at a distance but not really that bad if your team comes together with a clear cut plan. with frontier you can get both as well (cnm/whnp). that's my plan as well. my husband in military so when we move around it'll be good to have both since i'm not going to know what kind of reception cnms get in some areas. for the most part i like this school and it's ranked pretty well on the cnm schools. some things i don't like are...i don't like that the school doesn't take the responsibility of finding your clinical preceptor. we have to do that ourselves and work to get them credentialed. that sucks!! so if you go there, start working on getting a clinical site soon. they will try and help you though if you're really having a hard time.

you will already have your bsn so this next thing wouldn't really affect you but to others reading...i'm doing the rn-msn so i have the one year of bridge courses..the thing i don't like is that they do not award you a bsn after the bridge year. so if you don't continue on the program your kinda screwed.

random frontier stuff

you are required to attend a acnm starting your own birthcenter conference prior to going to clinical bound.

for those that have a bsn you will only go to ky twice frontier bound and clinical bound. for those doing the bridge work it's 3 times. the first 2 are only monday evening-thu. the clinical bound is a full week (i think).

the school is big on community and tradition. it's really quite nice. you should look up mary breckenridge and see what she's about. the school is out in the middle of nowhere and in a very pretty mountainess area.

hiring potentials

well i don't think hospitals employ cnms but most likely will work for an ob office with hospital privledges. some of the people i go to school with are more interested in homebirth or birthcenters. personally i would rather do hospital deliveries at least until i well experienced. i think if you are anywhere near miami you'll have no trouble finding work. wow! i think i wrote my own little book. if you have any other questions or anything about frontier let me know. also feel free to pm me if you want

WannaBNursey, ADN, ASN, RN · Jun 29, 2012

This was wonderful thank you!

RNmilwife · Jun 29, 2012

You are welcome :) Good luck in your schooling

CNM2B · Jul 1, 2012

I'm currently an RN student. I've had my heart set on being an OB-GYN prior to entering college, and after I discovered nursing I decided that I would rather do holistic health. However, I am still set on working with women and pregnancies and my ultimate goal is to become a CNM. There are no CNM specialties at my "local" universities (travel would be over 100 miles a day) and I don't plan on moving after I get my RN. What are online programs like? How do you do your clinicals and do you feel prepared for them? Do you think doing an online CNM program has prepared you for real work? Also, what is the need for CNM's at this time? Would it be easy to find a job upon completion of a CNM program? I live in SW Florida, so if anybody knows anything about the need for CNM's in this area, I'd love to hear what you know!

I'm also a Frontier student and can't speak highly enough about it! As a pp stated, the history and tradition are unmatched. You truly feel like you are joining a family when you come to Frontier. I know that the campus visits seem daunting, but they serve several purposes. First, they help you feel connected to the school and fellow classmates, which you'll find is very important. Secondly, the in person teaching you get at Clinical Bound is essential (in my opinion) to being a competent provider in clinicals. Learning the cardinal maneuvers of birth, sewing tears, performing complete assessments (including pelvic exams) are all things I'd much rather do the first few times in a classroom environment under the watchful eye of an experienced instructor. I can't imagine doing all of those things the very first time on a patient in a stressful situation. But that's just my opinion. I don't go to clinical bound until spring, but I'm so excited to attend based on all I've heard from others. They say you learn so much from our faculty that will stay with you through your career.So, just a few thoughts. Finally, check the tuition totals for all the schools you're considering. Several of them are extremely expensive (twice as much or more than others).Best of luck!!