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Natural Birth
catsinawindow
member
Doctor of Midwifery?
catsinawindow
member
Anyone know what makes a doctor of midwifery different than a CNM? I was just talking with my dad about midwives and he mentioned that the midwife who delivered my mom's babies was a doctor midwife. I thought he was mistaken, so we looked it up and a few schools do have that degree! I've never heard of it before. Anyone know what makes them different (other than years of schooling) compared to CNM?
BFP#2: EDD 2/11/14, MMC confirmed 7/15/13 (growth stopped at 6 weeks), D&C @ 12 weeks 7/25/13
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Re: Doctor of Midwifery?
*Lurker*
If I am not mistaken, that simply means she has already obtained her masters degree in nurse midwifery and continued on to get her Ph-D in nursing sciences in Midwifery studies. So, its like having your doctorate degree in a particular field.
I was mostly wondering if they would use their doctorate differently than a CNM (ie. teaching rather than practice)? Or why would they choose a doctorate over a CNM degree? I imagine they could still practice the same as a CNM.
I can see why a doctorate in many subjects would be beneficial for different career fields (I have one myself) but can't see the purpose of a midwifery doctorate.
BFP#2: EDD 2/11/14, MMC confirmed 7/15/13 (growth stopped at 6 weeks), D&C @ 12 weeks 7/25/13
Maybe she was just interested in "going all the way" with her education. Though, I suppose, it may be possible that she would want to be be teaching other MWs. I read on a forum of people studying to be CNMs that to go on to get your Doctor in Midwifery may be an attempt to gain the same types of credentialing as pharmacists, etc. Maybe making them more likely to gain positions along side OBs in clinics/hospital practices?
Ah, this makes sense to me. Thanks for clarifying.
BFP#2: EDD 2/11/14, MMC confirmed 7/15/13 (growth stopped at 6 weeks), D&C @ 12 weeks 7/25/13
Oh, I realize this. It actually came up b/c my father (who is somewhat anti-MW, anti-birth center) was implying that my mom's midwife was so much more qualified to deliver babies because he was a doctor of midwifery compared to the CNMs working at my birth center. I obviously don't believe that, but was surprised to learn that there was such a thing as a doctor of midwifery and was interested to know more about it.
BFP#2: EDD 2/11/14, MMC confirmed 7/15/13 (growth stopped at 6 weeks), D&C @ 12 weeks 7/25/13
NorCalMOMS bio* NorCalBOTB* babywearingBIO
Harmony Doula
I've been looking into a career in Midwifery. I'm not sure if it's so in all states, but in Texas, CNM programs are being phased out.
It used to be you could do a certificate program/masters program for the Certificate of Midwifery making you a Certified Nurse Midwife. Now you go from your BSN to the PhD in Midwifery (there's no longer a master's program, just the 75 add'l hours of schooling for the PhD).
I may be misunderstanding what you are saying, but this isn't exactly true.
Masters level programs are currently the highest level *required* to practice as a CNM. There is some talk of/action toward changing the minimum level of education for ALL nurse practitioners, not just midwives, to a doctorate degree- a DNP or doctor of nursing practice. A DNP is a clinical degree, whereas a PhD in nursing is a research or education focused degree.
Both a master in nursing in midwifery and a DNP have the same license- they are CNMs. Just like an RN can either have a bachelors in nursing or an associates in nursing (although there is also talk of raising the minimum education to a BSN).
Eventually a DNP will be required, not a PhD. A PhD in nursing is a non-clinical degree.
I meant DNP, I thought I had seen PhD somewhere... here's a link that might be more helpful.
https://www.baylor.edu/nursing/nursing_grad/index.php?id=56683