PNNP vs CNM

[ashleymr1213]

I have finally gotten in the MOB department and couldn't be happier! It's where I've always wanted to be. Since before I started nursing school I have wanted to be a CNM, however, I have recently learned of the PNNP area (perinatal nurse practitioner) and was wondering what the differences are between the PNNP and CNM programs and practices? Thank you!

[AspiringNurseMW]

Following, but just off the top of my head, the perinatal NP seems like the scope of practice would be much narrower.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I've never heard of it and I'm unaware of any programs that offer it. Can you post a link to some schools that offer this program?

But yes, I agree with the previous poster...I imagine this theoretical program about which I know nothing offers scope of practice just for prenatal care and L&D, whereas midwifery also does a lot with women's health (puberty to grave), gyn, family planning, etc. It's a much broader scope.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Okay, I just did a little research, and from what I've been able to tell, there is no such thing as a perinatal nurse practitioner. Advanced practice nurses are certified by either the ANCC (NPs) or AMCB (CNMs), not counting CRNAs, which is not relevant to this discussion.

Neither ANCC nor AMCB offer a Perinatal Nurse Practitioner certification.

The only places I can find information about this elusive certification is through generic "what are nurses" websites. I cannot find any actual schools that prepare nurses for any type of Perinatal NP certification. Therefore, I have to conclude that there is no such thing.

[AspiringNurseMW]

Is it something that perhaps could be at the state level? I do billing for midwives and one of them sent in her state certification for OBGYN NP. I was like huh? She said that when she applied for her CNM certificate that was an option and she met the requirements so she applied and received it without extra schooling.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to student NP forum

[NeldaFNP]

.....Advanced practice nurses are certified by either the ANCC (NPs) or AMCB (CNMs), not counting CRNAs, which is not relevant to this discussion....

AANP also certifies nurse practitioners. They also do not offer a certification in PNNP.

i had a co-worker who received a degree in something similar, her degree was in perinatal care and she was considered a APN. But only our hospital recognized the degree (They paid for her to get it through an on-line programo)because there was no certification, and no way (I think) to get reimbursed by insurance. She no longer works here and her degree is not recognized as anything other than a masters in nursing.

To the original poster, I would discourage you from pursuing this degree since it is likely offered by a "for profit" university who is more interested in providing courses for money than anything else. You will get a degree but if no one recognizes it, what use is that degree? You will have spent a lot of money on something that does not provide with the education to pursue what you want.

I also have have a coworker who works as a perinatal CNS. She is actually an Adult CNS who did her thesis on the perinatal condition. There are actual perinatal CNS degrees as well. Perhaps you would consider that?

[ssrn13]

Like the others have mentioned, I have not heard of perinatal nurse practitioners, just perinatal clinical specialists (and even that I believe is not very common). There is no certification for PNNP. Some CNM programs have the option to double certify as a women's health nurse practitioner, perhaps that is what you had heard of. Really the biggest difference between the two is that CNM's do deliveries and WHNP's do not. They both are trained for women's health care throughout the lifespan (including perinatal and postpartum), but only those certified as nurse midwives can do deliveries so I imagine that a larger proportion of their patients fall into the perinatal category.