Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
Learn about what it takes to become a nurse-midwife, what’s involved with the practice of midwifery, midwifery salary information, and take a look at an actual online masters of science in nursing program offering concentrations in midwifery.
- * Midwifery Education
- * Midwife Career
- * Midwife Salary
- * Midwife Education Programs
- * Certified Nurse-Midwifery
Nurse-Midwifery Education
Certified Nurse-Midwives are Registered Nurses educated at the graduate level in programs of study accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). Their graduate degree may be in Nursing, Midwifery or Public Health. Master of Science in nursing programs frequently require a bachelor of science in nursing for entry. A good example of a Nurse-Midwifery Graduate level of education can be found via Nursing@Georgetown.
After successful completion of an accredited program, nurse-midwives are certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). As of January 1st, 2011 you must hold a graduate degree and hold a valid license as a registered nurse to sit for the certified nurse-midwife examination.
Midwife Career
Certified Nurse-Midwives are responsible for the gynecologic and primary healthcare of women from adolescence through menopause. Reproductive health care is a main focus of a nurse-midwife’s practice. This includes assessment and management of contraceptive and birth control methods, general gynecological care, and general preventative care. While reproductive health is a main concern for Certified Nurse-Midwives, they may also provide more general primary care to women across the lifespan.
Of course Certified Nurse-Midwives also provide complete care for women during pregnancy, including prenatal and postpartum care. They care for a woman giving birth, providing woman-centered care that emphasizes the normalcy of birth. They also care for newborns at birth, and in the first month of life. Certified Nurse-Midwives practice in hospitals, clinics, birthing centers, and also may attend home-births.
Certified Nurse Midwives prescribe medication, treatments, medical devices, and diagnostic measures across the country. All states recognize prescriptive authority for nurse-midwives, with the scope of practice varying from state to state.
As with most careers in the healthcare industry, one of a certified nurse-midwives biggest jobs is communicating successfully with patients. There are a wide variety of birthing practices that women may prefer and it’s important that they understand the risks and benefits of each. Well-informed clients are a great first step in successful preventative healthcare.
Midwife Salary
Certified Nurse-Midwives generally earn more and receive better benefits than Registered Nurses who do not hold an advanced practice nursing license, receiving an average of over $90,000 in total annual earnings. Additionally, the current nursing shortage has prompted many hospitals to offer increased salaries to advanced practice nurses, including nurse-midwives, in an effort to attract more nurses with specialty expertise. Learn about more specific CNM salary offering through Glassdoor.com, an online jobs and careers community, to the right.
Midwifery Education Programs
Due to the extensive amount of education required to become a certified nurse-midwife, it is very important to choose the right Midwifery program. There are currently schools across the country offering midwifery programs. Georgetown’s new online Nursing@Georgetown program offers a Master of Science in Nursing program with a concentration in midwifery that incorporates identical rigor and benefits of an on-campus program.
For more information on Midwifery and midwifery licensure across states, visit the American Midwifery Certification Board.
American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)
Types of Certification: CNM (Nurse-Midwifery), CM (Midwifery)
Eligibility Requirements: Active RN license, satisfactory completion of a program in nurse-midwifery (a master’s program is required to sit for the CNM exam) accredited by or with pre-accreditation status from the ACMN.
Certification Process: Initial application, followed by a computer-based certification examination
Fees: $500 certification examination fee
Renewal: The certificate expires December 31st of the fifth year following the date of issue. Completion of the AMCB Certificate Maintenance Program is required in order to renew the certificate. The CMP is designed to assist CNMs/CMs to fulfill their professional responsibility to maintain competence. An annual program fee of $65 is assessed to cover the basic Certificate Maintenance Program.
