Upcoming male CNM student seeking perspective

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Hi All,

I am planning on attending Vanderbilt in the Fall as a pre-specialty student for the CNM/FNP degree. What makes me different than most midwifery students is that I am male. I started my college career with the goal of becoming an athletic trainer for a professional football and or baseball team, but through certain courses, shadowing experiences, research, and study abroad experiences, I realized that my calling is in working with babies, women, and their families in the holistic lens. Isn't life ironic sometimes?

However, Vanderbilt isn't cheap. Although I had considered this before, the cost of the program recently became much more real when I signed off for my loans. This is my concern: pursuing the dual-degree at Vandy will cost me an extra 2 semesters of tuition, living expenses, etc. Since there are so few male midwifes out there, I'm not confident in the demand. I do not want to end up in a situation where I borrow an extra $50k in loans, but cannot get hired for a position that will allow me to utilize my NMW certification. Let me be clear: my heart is in midwifery. But at this point in my life, I have to be realistic about such significant financial decisions.

I would appreciate some perspective. Am I better off to only pursue the family specialty, or should I go for the dual-degree and have faith that there are employers and patients out there who know that good care is not dependent on one's sex?

Thanks!

Nate

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

I'm very excited for you! I can't directly speak to the demand for male CNM's, but I can put you in touch with someone who might offer perspective? Ohio State's Nurse-Midwifery program is chaired by a man, and he's doing great things with the program and taking it in new directions (he's only had that position for about a year now). If you PM me, I'd be happy to share his contact information with you. Best wishes!!

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That would be fantastic! I haven't used this site very much so I'm not sure how to personal message you--I'll try adding you as a contact and maybe that will give me the option for a PM.

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I know several male midwives- highly respected and popular with patients. The new regional representative for the region of ACNM that covers Georgia is a man. I don't know his contact info but you could look on the ACNM website. BTW, I paid out of state tuition at a state school for my MSN and I owe $120K so consider yourself lucky if Vandy is going to be 50 ;)

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Thanks CEG, I will definitely check that out. $50k would not be the cost for the entire program; for the dual-degree it would actually be 3 years at about $50k each year, so I am looking at a debt similar to yours, if not more.

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Specializes in OB/women's Health, Pharm.

In the past I worked with an excellent, highly respected midwife who happened to be a guy. He has been in the field for years. When I left a CNM job, I was replaced by a male.

So no, you will not be the only one out there, and I know of no reason why you shouldn't go on to a rewarding career.

Best of luck to you.

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Hi All,

I am planning on attending Vanderbilt in the Fall as a pre-specialty student for the CNM/FNP degree. What makes me different than most midwifery students is that I am male. I started my college career with the goal of becoming an athletic trainer for a professional football and or baseball team, but through certain courses, shadowing experiences, research, and study abroad experiences, I realized that my calling is in working with babies, women, and their families in the holistic lens. Isn't life ironic sometimes?

However, Vanderbilt isn't cheap. Although I had considered this before, the cost of the program recently became much more real when I signed off for my loans. This is my concern: pursuing the dual-degree at Vandy will cost me an extra 2 semesters of tuition, living expenses, etc. Since there are so few male midwifes out there, I'm not confident in the demand. I do not want to end up in a situation where I borrow an extra $50k in loans, but cannot get hired for a position that will allow me to utilize my NMW certification. Let me be clear: my heart is in midwifery. But at this point in my life, I have to be realistic about such significant financial decisions.

I would appreciate some perspective. Am I better off to only pursue the family specialty, or should I go for the dual-degree and have faith that there are employers and patients out there who know that good care is not dependent on one's sex?

Thanks!

Nate

Hi Nate,

As a practicing CNM and wife of a practicing male CNM, I encourage you to follow your passion. My husband has never had difficulty finding a job as a midwife, and though there may be areas of the country in which there is currently less demand, with health care reform will come many newly insured who will need all types of care, especially the primary care that CNMs and NPs provide. While the additional credential may help you establish more of a family-focused practice in which you could care for dads and kids, you should think about what it is you really want to do. There is a LOT of loan reimbursement money out there right now for advanced practice, especially if you plan to work in underserved areas or on an academic faculty. So my advice is to get the degree you need to do the work in which you are most interested - the opportunities for paying off the loans are out there if you look for them...good luck! We need more people like you in midwifery - those dedicated to caring for women!

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Here's the thing- be the best you can be, be yourself and you will have success. Can the profession promise non- discriminiation by all potential employers, no. But since you are joining a profession that has in general experienced discrimination, you will not be alone in your struggle for acceptance and respect. It may just have a slightly different focus.

Some of my best health care experiences have occurred when being cared for by male nurses. While as a woman I was initially shy and resistant, their excellent skills and caring won my heart. It can be the same for your clients/patients. One of the CNMs in our practice is a guy who is bilingual and bi cultural. The community clinic that he was assigned to initially was reluctant to have him, citing the "cultural" preferences of the women they care for. A few months later, his schedule is full, and women appreciate his midiwfery skills and "insider" understanding of their issues. The students we have clamor to be assigned to him, and as colleagues we are thrilled beyond belief that we "took this risk."

May you enjoy your education and find joy in practice no matter which route you choose.

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HI Nate,

Same thing here... The school I graduated from was at that time chaired by a highly valuable male CNM, who is still, if i am not mistaken, part of the ACNM board..

He is also director of Global Education in a highly respected Non for Profit affiliated to a vary prestigious university.

So go for it!!!

Parteiranagua

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It was a male midwife in San Francisco who inspired me to become a CNM. You'll be great and your future patients need you :)

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Nate,

I'm a guy, and I just graduated from the CNM program at UCSF. I'm not really on this list, but someone forwarded your message to me. Write me back if you want at [email protected].

KC

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I am currently in the process of applying to the ABSN/CNM programs, and I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who spoke here. It opened my (female!) eyes to the presence of males in nurse-midwifery, and I needed that, it turns out!

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