What do you have to do before becoming a CNM

christine_chapel · May 13, 2008

You need to have your RN license, first.

Then, it depends on the school you want to attend. You will be receiving a master's degree, and will then be approved to take the CNM version of boards. Some schools need you to have your bachelor's in nursing before acceptance. Some will allow you to apply if you have an associate's in nursing and a bachelor's in something else. Some have a "bridge" type program that lets you in with an associate's, has you take a few extra classes, and then you go on to the master's program.

hope this helps!

cc

HeartsOpenWide, RN · May 13, 2008

Have your BSN or a BA/BS with your ASN. Have at least a 3.0 GPA. Some schools require OB experience while others don't. You will also need to take the GRE. I do not know of any schools that allow some one in with JUST an ASN/RN like the above poster said, its not just a "few" more classes...for example...if I were to get my ASN I would have only had 74 units. When I get my BSN next year I will have 134. You can have an AS/AA degree and still not be eligible to transfer, there are less units/classes required for an AA/AS than to transfer (in California anyway) and then there are a lot more classes just for the bachelors itself, nursing and non-nursing. I imagine going the ASN with no bachelors in any field would take a lot longer because you would still be required to have the # of units/classes for your masters (and you would have a lot less only holding a ASN).

mommy2boysaz · May 13, 2008

I am currently enrolled in the Bridge program at Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing.

I have my ASN only. The bridge program consists of 1 year of "bridge" courses that prepare you to begin Masters level work without having to get a BSN. After the bridge sequence is done, I will then have roughly 2 more years before I will receive my Master's degree and can then take the boards to become a CNM.

Also, this school is a distance learning school, so with only 2-3 trips to Kentucky (the location of the school) for a week or so each, you can finish the rest of your studies in your own community. Check out the website or search Frontier here on allnurses for more info.

Good Luck!:nuke:

christine_chapel · May 14, 2008

Hi again!

The specific program that I was thinking of that lets you in with "just" an associate's is the program at Frontier, but I'm sure there are others. This program actually does NOT award you a bachelor's degree, and that's why there are only a "few" classes (seven, which is more than a few I guess :) total of twenty credits) in the bridge program, which takes about a year. (and during the last term of that year, you're already starting on the master's coursework.)

Every school requires a certain GPA, but the actual number varies from school to school. Some require a GRE, others don't under some circumstances. Some require X amount of years of nursing experience, others don't. It's a good idea to hunt around and look at schools that you might be interested in, because it really can vary widely.

Good luck!