RN-MSN, MSN, CNM, CPM, What to do??

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Dec 22, 2014

Those (CNM & NP) are two different education pathways... are you looking to get one & then 'top up' the extra requirements to obtain the other one?

The CNMs I know all began their careers as L&D nurses. I know that this may not be the case for everyone, but that's the crowd that I'm familiar with. Most work in tax-funded hospitals, supplementing the physician staff. They love their work, and seem to be happy with their professional relationship with the MDs. A couple of the CNMs also work with transition care programs - post-delivery follow up with at-risk infants.

WHPNs (that I know) are employed in physician offices - mostly OBGYN. They handle all the 'routine' work and cover the patient load when the OB is engaged in deliveries. They came from various backgrounds... but they all had RN experience prior to NP school.

CallingNurseNena · Dec 22, 2014

Getting the extra requirements for one would be the best bet. But which one should I begin with? I'm guessing NP and then get the extras for CNM

klone, MSN, RN · Dec 23, 2014

What do you want to do as an NP? Because a CNM is able to everything an NP can do, PLUS they can catch babies. CNMs have prescriptive authority, and are able to do everything with women's health and low risk obstetrics. So unless you want an NP in something OTHER than women's health, I would suggest just getting a CNM. And if you want to be an NP in something other than women's health, I have to suggest that it's really hard to specialize as a primary provider in two different disciplines.

ETA: I see you said you want to get an NP in women's health...then just get a CNM. A CNM can do everything a WHNP can do, PLUS catch babies, which WHNPs cannot do, at least not in the hospital setting. It would be redundant to do both - if you want to catch babies and be involved in women's health, just get your CNM.

CallingNurseNena · Dec 23, 2014

What do you want to do as an NP? Because a CNM is able to everything an NP can do, PLUS they can catch babies. CNMs have prescriptive authority, and are able to do everything with women's health and low risk obstetrics. So unless you want an NP in something OTHER than women's health, I would suggest just getting a CNM. And if you want to be an NP in something other than women's health, I have to suggest that it's really hard to specialize as a primary provider in two different disciplines.
ETA: I see you said you want to get an NP in women's health...then just get a CNM. A CNM can do everything a WHNP can do, PLUS catch babies, which WHNPs cannot do, at least not in the hospital setting. It would be redundant to do both - if you want to catch babies and be involved in women's health, just get your CNM.

Thanks!! This makes sense. I didn't want to go to school for things I didn't have to go to school for.

queenanneslace, ADN, MSN, APRN, CNM · Mar 25, 2015

If you have an associate's degree, you can apply to Frontier's ADN- MSN/DNP program.

This is known as the "Bridge Program" and allows nurses without Bachelor's degrees to start working on their graduate education.

Frontier recommends completing the CNM program and then the WHNP program for people who want dual degrees. Reasons for doing both? Flexibility in licensure and additional clinical training in gyne.

Most of the time CNMs can function as WHNPs. But there are a few who seek dual certifications.