Programs to become a Midwife.. Calling all midwives

Specialties CNM

Published

Hello nurses!

I am currently in school for my BSN. Right now I am not trying to look too far into the future, because I know I need to first graduate.. However, I do have a desire to in the future go back to school to earn a advance degree to be a midwife. I have looked into a couple programs and now I am realizing how much I really don't know! I have seen programs to simply get a masters in science for nurse midwife, and I have seen programs to get a DNP as a nurse midwife. I am just wondering what is the difference as far as practice between these two degrees? And could you just share your experience with choosing a program (what was your gpa, how competitive was it to get into the program, how many years did you work as a nurse before applying). Thank you very much, I really appreciate all the help I can get.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Much like there is no difference between diploma, ADN, and BSN grads when it comes to licensure, the same can be said of MSN vs. DNP right now for advanced practice roles.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

thread moved for best response

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Specializes in Hospice, ER.

Hi there!

Either an MSN or DNP would get you to the same place to take your boards to become a CNM. My understanding is at this point an MSN vs a DNP is similar to ADN vs BSN. There is talk of DNP eventually becoming standard for APRNs, but that is not the current requirement. There is not a difference in clinical practice.

Regarding programs, I just applied to Frontier Nursing University. In my experience, they're the most well known school in the midwifery world and have a very reputable program. I chose to apply to this program because my area seems to hire many FNU graduates, reputable, affordable tuition, multiple start dates, program structure (1-1.5 years of didactic then 6-9 months of clinical for full-time), etc. I applied with a 3.9 GPA from my BSN/ADN. Though my RN experience has been in the ED, I've known since graduating nursing school six years ago that I wanted to pursue midwifery when the time is right. Over the years I've joined multiple organizations such as ACNM and AWHONN. I do not have L&D experience, but I have spent a lot of time shadowing a CNM for my own benefit and also to show the school that I have a genuine interest, know what a CNMs day entails, etc. Plus, this CNM was an invaluable reference for my application and I already have clinicals lined up with her. I highly recommend finding a CNM to act as your mentor, of sorts. She has been an amazing resource. Like I said, I only just applied so I don't know yet whether I've been accepted.

Good luck!

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So I'm totally in the same boat! I have 7 years of ED experience, No L&D. I want to be a midwife and will be applying to Frontier. Looks like you got in! That's awesome!

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