Perception of CNM's?

Joan Z · Sep 25, 2008

I met the only CNM I know in NP school--she told me she wanted to be able to treat for a wider variety of conditions. Prior to that, I had no idea that CNMs were APNs. I did know that they were generally in favor of necessary medical interventions.

In my remote and rural area, there is one CNM. She keeps a very low profile as the MDs in the area hounded her predecessor (who seemed to be very anti-medicine and had a lot of complications post-deliveries). Her pts love her.

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Sep 25, 2008

CNM are some of the most highly educated APN's I know. That being said, I see so much - I don't know - misinterpretation of them in the community. I did my GYN rotation with a CNM. She was wonderful. However, people seem to have a major mix up inbetween lay midwives and CNM.

ANPFNPGNP · Sep 25, 2008

I know this is an NP board, but I have a question for you current and future NP's. I am starting a CNM program in the winter and am very excited about it. I have noticed, however, that when I tell coworkers at work (RN's and some NP's) that I plan to pursue this career, I usually get met with a blank stare. When I explain that a CNM is a Certified Nurse Midwife, more often than not, they think this means I am opposed to medical interventions (including any and all pain medication) and that I will be performing home births. This is not the view of the typical CNM. They seem to also have no clue that CNM's are also advanced practice nurses and share many of the same responsibilities (including prescriptive authority) as an NP.
Can anyone shed light on the general perception of the CNM? I'm just curious what others think about this adventure I'm about to begin!

I trained with a CNM during my OB rotation for FNP. She was AWESOME! A lot of people assume that only poor, uneducated women have CNM's deliver their babies. This couldn't be further from the truth. In Houston and Austin, CNM's are sought out by the upper income, educated women. Some jealous OB/GYN's have even gone out of their way to get CNM's kicked out of hospitals, simply b/c they couldn't compete.

ExpatHopeful, LPN, LVN · Sep 25, 2008

I admit that before I was interested in nursing as a career I was really hazy on where a CNM was on the continuum of OB/GYNS, lay midwives, doulas etc. I couldn't have told you who they were certified by or in what way or where they stood on medical interventions. Now that I have worked with one in a practice with other NPs I know a bit more. The CNM I worked with was definitely treated as an equal and valued colleague by the other NPs.

Until you have to figure this out because you are pregnant or going into L&D nursing it's just confusing. It seemed to me at the time like there were so many people all trying to carve out a niche for themselves in pregnancy care/delivery and each with very strong opinions on how a woman should give birth and what choices she should be offered. I'm not surprised most people are clueless.

Trauma Columnist · Sep 25, 2008

I do not work with the child-bearing population for the most part. However, I am active with my state's APN organization and have been very priviledged to meet several CNMs and they are very focused on advancing the practice and use of CNMs.

dansingrn · Sep 25, 2008

I also trained with a CNM for a rotation during my PNP clinicals. She was awesome. I had the privilege of attending several births with her; what an eye-opening, wonderful experience! As a nurse, her patient advocacy skills were superb. Although I don't practice in this area, I'm grateful that I had the experience of working beside such a strong patient advocate.

In many aspects, this rotation affected my own nursing practice by challenging my previous assumptions. I agree that the scope of the CNM is a mystery to many, even other advanced practice nurses. I hope that changes.

bebeleche · Sep 25, 2008

It sounds like you are just bumping into ignorance. I am an FNP, plannng to get my CNM post-masters in the next few years. Where I live (Maine) women know, use and love CNMs (from what I observe.) They seem to be very repected. It's true that moms who choose to CNMs generally want a more natural approach to care, and what a great option for them!

I suppose if, as a medial professional, birth isn't your bag (imagine that?), you may not even care to learn the difference among OB/midwifery providers. It's just not on the radar screen. True, lots of people don't learn much about such things until going through a pregnancy. Even then, I imagine CNMs aren't an option everywhere. All the more reason for righteous babes like us to keep growing the profession. It's not really your responsibility to educate the ignornant, but it can't hurt to set the record straight either. Just my :twocents: . Good luck in your program!

CNM2B · Sep 25, 2008

It sounds like you are just bumping into ignorance. I am an FNP, plannng to get my CNM post-masters in the next few years. Where I live (Maine) women know, use and love CNMs (from what I observe.) They seem to be very repected. It's true that moms who choose to CNMs generally want a more natural approach to care, and what a great option for them!
I suppose if, as a medial professional, birth isn't your bag (imagine that?), you may not even care to learn the difference among OB/midwifery providers. It's just not on the radar screen. True, lots of people don't learn much about such things until going through a pregnancy. Even then, I imagine CNMs aren't an option everywhere. All the more reason for righteous babes like us to keep growing the profession. It's not really your responsibility to educate the ignornant, but it can't hurt to set the record straight either. Just my . Good luck in your program!

Thanks so much! I couldn't be happier about pursuing a career as a CNM. Ironically, I hope to get my FNP as my post-masters's. Good luck in your career and hopefully things will change in the future. I wish CNM's were as respected her in Ohio they are in Maine--maybe someday! Have you decided where to get your CNM? I've decided (after tons of research and deliberation) to go to Frontier. I will attend Frontier Bound in December. Thanks again for the encouraging words! Thanks to everyone for your responses! :specs: