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

[Paula378]

I'm 25 years old and planning on eventually going back to school for nursing and I'm deciding between being a CNM or getting my RN and specializing in labor and delivery. A huge pro for labor and delivery is being able to attend a college in my state so that I don't have to move across the country and pay out of state tuition.

My sister in law is a labor and delivery nurse and she loves her job, and she really sold me on the idea of being a travelling nurse. She told me that she and her fellow nursing friends were able to work for 6 months, then spend the rest of their time at home not working. This definitely appealed to me since I'm single and have no children.

This was a bit rambly, but I was hoping to hear from people who work in either of these fields and just hear about your personal experiences.

Thanks

[Irish_Mist, BSN, RN]

You need to be a Registered Nurse with a BSN before a being admitted to a CNM program. Most schools will require at least 2 years of L&D experience.

As a patient, I wouldn't let a CNM without prior L&D experience come near me, personally. I've had just about enough of these direct entry NP programs.

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

Personally I'd want to be an L&D RN first, to make sure that I was certain it was something I wanted to do before sinking a good amount of money into an advanced degree. Based on posts I've read on here, plenty of people change their minds about their specialty in nursing school.

Best of luck to you.

[Tacomaboy3]

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.

It's unsafe? Are patient outcomes different between CNMs with nursing experience than CNMs without?

[jessica1993]

There's a reason reason why certified nurse midwives are known as advanced-practice nurses: you need the solid nursing foundation.

[Tacomaboy3]

There's a reason reason why certified nurse midwives are known as advanced-practice nurses: you need the solid nursing foundation.

It takes passing an exam to have that "solid nursing foundation."

[jessica1993]

Passing the NCLEX is just one step. Programs require you to have labor and delivery experience.

[jessica1993]

It takes passing an exam to have that "solid nursing foundation."

Actually, no, it doesn't. Passing the nclex is just the first step. Programs require you to have labor and delivery experience.

[Tacomaboy3]

Actually, no, it doesn't. Passing the nclex is just the first step. Programs require you to have labor and delivery experience.

Here's a midwifery DNP program without the need for L&D RN experience: For Non-Nurses: Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion - Doctor of Nursing Practice - College of Nursing - Seattle University

[PsychMomma]

Here's a midwifery DNP program without the need for L&D RN experience: For Non-Nurses: Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion - Doctor of Nursing Practice - College of Nursing - Seattle University

However, the program is 5 years long...so she could earn her BSN through an accelerated program, start making money as an RN and gaining experience, and get her MSN for much less time and money.

[jessica1993]

However, the program is 5 years long...so she could earn her BSN through an accelerated program, start making money as an RN and gaining experience, and get her MSN for much less time and money.

THIS. Plus, those direct-entry APRN programs seem odd to me. Not everyone gets to work as RN, which makes no sense to me. I feel like RN experience should be required. If you haven't worked as a nurse, why should you be an advanced-practice nurse? But hey, to each their own.

[Tacomaboy3]

However, the program is 5 years long...so she could earn her BSN through an accelerated program, start making money as an RN and gaining experience, and get her MSN for much less time and money.

It's four years long, not five. I'm not trying to argue - I would likely take the route you suggested as opposed to a direct-entry CNM program. But hey, not everyone wants to work as an RN beforehand, and my argument was that it's not required at all schools like previously suggested.

[jessica1993]

It's four years long, not five. I'm not trying to argue - I would likely take the route you suggested as opposed to a direct-entry CNM program. But hey, not everyone wants to work as an RN beforehand, and my argument was that it's not required at all schools like previously suggested.

Lol. There's definitely been a combative tone to your posts. But hey, maybe you're not trying to argue. Opinions were asked, and we've supplied them. To some of us, it really just doesn't make sense to not have any RN experience beforehand. Do you.