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What do you think is the best way to become a nurse midwife ? Should I become a labor and delivery nurse and than go back to school and become a midwife ?
I’m a senior in high school, and need help with the best route to become a nurse midwife but i’m confused and overwhelmed about the process and what you think is the best practical way to get to my end goal.
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Emily’s Answer
As a long and delivery nurse who works extensively with certified nurse midwives (CNMs) in a hospital setting, I would highly recommend getting experience as a labor and delivery nurse prior to getting your master's degree. The experience you'll get as a labor and delivery nurse will be invaluable to you, and it's possible to get your CNM degree while you're working as a labor and delivery nurse. We have had several nurses who have started midwifery school very soon after starting their labor and delivery nurse career, and they've worked as a bedside nurse while getting their CNM degree. Typically your degree and clinicals will take about two of three years to achieve. They get lots of experience, and don't have to put their midwifery dreams on hold for a long time! They graduate with their CNM while still in their 20's and they are such strong midwives. They're knowledgeable about everything that goes into the bedside nurse role. You will learn so much as a labor and delivery nurse, and it'll make school easier for you and make you a much stronger midwife. Congratulations on the choice of career! I personally used CNMs for all of my own births and I think CNMs add so much value to the ob world. I love every single one of the midwives I work with and their patients typically have such positive experiences.
Thank you so much for helping!
deana
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Deana,
Best Way to Become a Nurse Midwife
To become a nurse midwife, there are several steps you can take to ensure that you are on the right path. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you achieve your goal:
Educational Requirements
To become a nurse midwife, you must first become a registered nurse (RN) by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. This typically takes four years to complete. After becoming an RN, you must gain experience in labor and delivery by working as a labor and delivery nurse for at least one to two years.
Advanced Degree
After gaining sufficient experience, the next step is to pursue an advanced degree in midwifery. This can be done through a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with a specialization in midwifery or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program with a midwifery focus. These programs typically take two to three years to complete and include both classroom and clinical components.
Certification
Upon completion of an advanced degree program, you must pass a certification exam administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) to become a certified nurse midwife (CNM). To maintain certification, CNMs must complete continuing education courses and renew their certification every five years.
Becoming a Labor and Delivery Nurse First
Becoming a labor and delivery nurse before pursuing an advanced degree in midwifery is a practical way to gain the necessary experience and skills needed to excel in midwifery. Working as a labor and delivery nurse provides hands-on experience with childbirth, postpartum care, and newborn care. This experience can be invaluable when pursuing an advanced degree in midwifery and can help ensure success in the field.
In summary, becoming a nurse midwife requires completing a BSN program, gaining experience as a labor and delivery nurse, pursuing an advanced degree in midwifery, and obtaining certification from the AMCB. Becoming a labor and delivery nurse first is a practical way to gain the necessary experience and skills needed to succeed in midwifery.
Authoritative Reference Titles:
American Midwifery Certification Board (https://www.amcbmidwife.org/) - The AMCB is the organization responsible for certifying nurse midwives in the United States. Their website provides information on certification requirements, exam dates, and study materials. This resource was used to provide information on the certification process for nurse midwives.
American College of Nurse-Midwives (https://www.midwife.org/) - The ACNM is the professional organization for certified nurse midwives in the United States. Their website provides information on education programs, career opportunities, and advocacy efforts for nurse midwives. This resource was used to provide information on the educational requirements for nurse midwives and the benefits of becoming a labor and delivery nurse first.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm) - The BLS provides information on careers in healthcare, including nurse midwives. Their website includes information on job outlook, salary, and educational requirements for nurse midwives. This resource was used to provide information on the job market for nurse midwives and the expected salary range for this profession.
GOD BLESS!
James.
Best Way to Become a Nurse Midwife
To become a nurse midwife, there are several steps you can take to ensure that you are on the right path. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you achieve your goal:
Educational Requirements
To become a nurse midwife, you must first become a registered nurse (RN) by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. This typically takes four years to complete. After becoming an RN, you must gain experience in labor and delivery by working as a labor and delivery nurse for at least one to two years.
Advanced Degree
After gaining sufficient experience, the next step is to pursue an advanced degree in midwifery. This can be done through a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with a specialization in midwifery or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program with a midwifery focus. These programs typically take two to three years to complete and include both classroom and clinical components.
Certification
Upon completion of an advanced degree program, you must pass a certification exam administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) to become a certified nurse midwife (CNM). To maintain certification, CNMs must complete continuing education courses and renew their certification every five years.
Becoming a Labor and Delivery Nurse First
Becoming a labor and delivery nurse before pursuing an advanced degree in midwifery is a practical way to gain the necessary experience and skills needed to excel in midwifery. Working as a labor and delivery nurse provides hands-on experience with childbirth, postpartum care, and newborn care. This experience can be invaluable when pursuing an advanced degree in midwifery and can help ensure success in the field.
In summary, becoming a nurse midwife requires completing a BSN program, gaining experience as a labor and delivery nurse, pursuing an advanced degree in midwifery, and obtaining certification from the AMCB. Becoming a labor and delivery nurse first is a practical way to gain the necessary experience and skills needed to succeed in midwifery.
Authoritative Reference Titles:
American Midwifery Certification Board (https://www.amcbmidwife.org/) - The AMCB is the organization responsible for certifying nurse midwives in the United States. Their website provides information on certification requirements, exam dates, and study materials. This resource was used to provide information on the certification process for nurse midwives.
American College of Nurse-Midwives (https://www.midwife.org/) - The ACNM is the professional organization for certified nurse midwives in the United States. Their website provides information on education programs, career opportunities, and advocacy efforts for nurse midwives. This resource was used to provide information on the educational requirements for nurse midwives and the benefits of becoming a labor and delivery nurse first.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm) - The BLS provides information on careers in healthcare, including nurse midwives. Their website includes information on job outlook, salary, and educational requirements for nurse midwives. This resource was used to provide information on the job market for nurse midwives and the expected salary range for this profession.
GOD BLESS!
James.
Thank you so much!
deana
Updated
Kaili’s Answer
Yes definitely! If you have the opportunity to work as a CNA or Nurse Tech while in school, that’s even better! Then once you’re done with nursing school you’ll want to work as a nurse in labor a delivery for a couple years while you get started on a midwifery program.
CNA class
Pre-requisites for nursing school
Nursing school
Work as a labor and delivery nurse
Midwifery school
Kaili recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for your response!! It genuinely helped me understand the process and gives me an insight on my career path!
deana
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Hi there!
This is a great question. This is completely up to your personal preference.
I obtained my Master's degree in nursing in my desired specialty after working as a registered nurse for several years. In my personal experience, it is beneficial to work as a registered nurse first and gain experience before pursuing your advanced degree. This is also a great financial decision if you plan to work as a nurse while completing your graduate degree.
Gain experience as a CNA (nursing assistant) or PCA/PCT (patient care tech/assistant) in the field you are interested in
Complete you Bachelor's degree in nursing
Gain experience as a RN (registered nurse) in the field you are interested in
Complete you Master's degree in nursing with a Nurse Midwife certification (provided you enjoy working in labor and delivery)
This is a great question. This is completely up to your personal preference.
I obtained my Master's degree in nursing in my desired specialty after working as a registered nurse for several years. In my personal experience, it is beneficial to work as a registered nurse first and gain experience before pursuing your advanced degree. This is also a great financial decision if you plan to work as a nurse while completing your graduate degree.
Sarah recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Rob’s Answer
Just my personal experience, not professional advice.... We did 4 home births with 3 different midwives (we had to switch because we had moved). Our favorite was a trained nurse and had 20 years experience as a trauma nurse in the ER. She was confident, calm, and kept us informed along the way. Very wise and great bedside manner. Another was a trained nurse and was also very good but less attentive in her approach. The least favorite of ours was simply trained as a midwife. She had alot of experience in it, but our experience with her felt more like it was routine/rehearsed, not that she truly knew what she was doing even after years of practice.
So in short, I encourage you to get as much training AND experience as you can in medicine while pursuing midwifery because none of it will be wasted and it will make all the difference.
We loved our homebirthing experience and we recommend others to have a midwife no matter where they are having their baby. Best of luck. It's a great work you are pursuing!
So in short, I encourage you to get as much training AND experience as you can in medicine while pursuing midwifery because none of it will be wasted and it will make all the difference.
We loved our homebirthing experience and we recommend others to have a midwife no matter where they are having their baby. Best of luck. It's a great work you are pursuing!
Thank you!
deana