Certified Nurse Midwife

Educational Road Map for Certified Nurse Midwives

From RN to Midwife: Transferable Skills

A registered nurse has a wide range of experience in the health care setting, experience that can lay the foundation for a career as a certified nurse midwife. Many of the principles and practices they’ve mastered experience as an RN are applied to nurse midwifery and the required coursework to become a certified nurse midwife. Nurses are adept at supervising patients, checking vital signs and managing pain, skills that are applied to the field of midwifery, especially when working with patients in the process of childbirth. Greater care and attention is needed as midwives are responsible for both mother and child.

Midwife Nursing Programs by Level

Aspiring nurse midwives must have some experience in the field before they can earn certification. The journey to becoming a nurse midwife begins with an associate degree in nursing, a bachelor’s degree in nursing, or both. These degrees allow nurses to gain the practical experience they need to apply for a graduate degree and become an advanced practice nurse. Through clinical practice during education or post-graduation, practicing nurses can work with women and children to determine if pursuing a career in midwifery through a master’s degree is right for them.

The following is a sampling of the course work that can be found in master’s degree programs for midwifery.

Certification: The Last Step to Becoming a Midwife

The process to becoming a certified nurse midwife is much like earning other advanced practice nursing certifications. An aspiring midwife starts by earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing and passing the state licensing requirements to become a registered nurse. The RN then spends time working in the field and gaining real-life experience. It’s recommended that the nurse work in a gynecological practice or working with infants to gain even more experience prior to pursuing a higher degree and certification. Generally, two years of practical experience in a midwife-related field are required. A master’s degree in midwifery is then required, followed by certification through the American College of Nurse-Midwives Certification Council and state licensure in the field. State licensure requirements vary and applicants are encouraged to check with their state licensing center prior to completing any program to ensure they are on track.

Those pursuing a master’s in midwifery must attend a school with a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education exam. Only graduates of an ACME program are eligible to sit for the national CNM exam, which costs $500 to take. Exam applicants are required to provide proof of RN licensure, hold a graduate nursing midwife degree and provide two letters from the director of the applicant’s graduate program addressing the completion date and the applicant’s abilities. Credentials must be renewed every five years.

Practicing and prospective professionals can receive support from a variety of organizations including the Midwives Association of North America and the American College of Nurse Midwives.