student wanting to pursue CNM degree.

[Jo West]

I am a RN student that will be graduating this year with an ADN. I am wanting to pursue Certified Nurse Midwifery. I know in the state I live, I will have to have a Master degree to practice. It would be more ideal for me to continue my education for both Masters and my Midwifery certification online. I have had a couple of people tell me not to do the midwifery online. My babies were all born "caught" by a midwife and I have attended other births attended by midwives, so I have a "feel" for this area. However, I need ideas, suggestions, and guidance as to how to go about doing this endeavor of getting licensed degrees. I plan to check with the State Board of Nursing, for a start, but would appreciate any feedback from anyone, especially on whether or not to do it online and how I should do it...get my masters first? work on them both together? and schools for both masters and midwifery programs-online and off. What are the pros and cons with these online degrees? To throw another wrench in, I plan to work, at least part time or PRN, as I do pursue this degree, (and I have children at home as well), so I may need ideas on time management for this degree as well. Thank you for your input.

[BluegrassRN]

I sent you a PM, but I forgot to include the link to this section of allnurses:

Click on the "specialty" tab. Choose "Advance Practice Nursing".

It will take you to this forum:

Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM) - Nursing for Nurses

Many of your questions will probably be answered by browsing there.

[klone, MSN, RN]

A CNM degree is a master's degree. It's not separate. It's a master's degree, specializing in nurse-midwifery (as opposed to a nurse practitioner, or some other master's degree).

There are several schools that offer programs online, however you still need to arrange clinical preceptors in your community, for the clinical component.

Many/most nurses who are in master's programs are still working part or fulltime. It's definitely doable.