UCSF WHN/CNM or AGNP - I'm Torn

[aposseadesse]

Hi There!

I am currently filling out my application for UCSF's MEPN program and I'm torn between the Nurse Midwife/Women's Health Nurse Practioner program and the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practioner program (with a focus on HIV/AIDS care or Diabetes care). I'm very interested in both areas and both seem like areas where the job market will remain steady but of course I can only pick one.

I was wondering if you some of you would mind sharing your experiences on your work as a CNM and/or WHN. What type of facility/institution you work for? What you like and dislike about your profession? If you could go back would you have chosen a different specialty? And any other insights you think are helpful.

Thanks in advance. I greatly appreciate it!

Kay

[Rebeccas23]

Hi, I don't have an answer to your questions specifically, but I would 1000% encourage you to shadow actual CNMs/WHNPs/AGPCNPs and not make your decision based off the responses you receive here. (Also, do you have volunteer experiences in either area? UCSF is a very competitive program, and even if you've been working as a doula, IBCLC etc for years they still have tons of candidates to choose from).

This is a major decision and will effect the rest of your professional life. If you are only heading into advanced practice nursing to become and NP and not a specific kind of NP, I'm not sure you've found the direction and passion that they're hoping for in a candidate. Absolutely shadow these professions so that when you're interviewed, you can cite real reasons why you have chosen that path. You might find that one is totally not the avenue you've been wanting or that the hours/expectations aren't what you were hoping for.