To become a Certified Nurse Midwife there are multiple career paths and all include substantial education to achieve this career goal. Are you wondering about the education or credentials you would need to become a certified nurse midwife? While there are many career paths, in all cases you do need to invest substantially in your own education to achieve this career goal.
A certified nurse midwife is considered an APRN (advanced practice registered nurse), a role that requires both relevant clinical training and a specialized graduate degree. Read on for more information about how to start a career as a certified nurse midwife.
We’re positive this information will be beneficial to you as you direct your future course of study and decide whether to pursue a career in midwifery. Now that you’re empowered with knowledge about how to become a certified nurse midwife, you can make better-informed choices about which path you’d like to follow as you make your career goals reality.
Academic Credentials and Requirements for Becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife
Certified nurse midwives need the following credentials:
- An Undergraduate Degree – This can be either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science. It is also possible to become a certified nurse midwife if you hold a nursing diploma or an associate’s degree in nursing. In that case, you may need to complete additional coursework or a bridge program. If you’re interested in a career in midwifery, it makes sense to choose a relevant course of study in nursing or the sciences. A bachelor’s degree in nursing is ideal. It is possible to become a nurse midwife after having pursued another major course of study that bears some relationship to either midwifery or nursing. Candidates with undergraduate degrees in biology, pre-med studies or similar disciplines can typically continue with the necessary graduate training to become certified nurse midwives.
- A Master’s Degree – From a Certified Nurse Midwife program with proper accreditation from the American Midwifery Certification Board.
- Certified Nurse Midwife Exam – Passing grade on the exam.
Licenses Needed to Become a Certified Nurse Midwife
The relevant governing bodies are currently attempting to standardize licensing and other requirements for APRNs. Their goal is to require certified nurse midwives to be licensed as registered nurses and to also earn second specialized licenses relating directly to their APRN specialty. This has not been fully implemented in all states.
We recommend that you check the current status of requirements your state of residence deems necessary in regards to licensure and clinical work experience. The National Council of the State Board on Nursing website has more information.
Which Location Is Best for Finding a Job as a Nurse Midwife?
The US cities with the highest known numbers of nurse midwives include New York City, Boston, Atlanta, Baltimore, Minneapolis, Chicago, Los Angeles, Denver, Houston and San Diego. Living in one of these cities may offer an advantage in finding work as a certified nurse midwife, but a midwife’s skills are in demand in numerous other locations throughout the USA.
Where to Find More Information About How to Become a Certified Nurse Midwife
The US Department of Labor maintains a guide to how to become a nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife or nurse practitioner at the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A related resource they make available is the occupational outlook for nurse midwives.
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