Nurse Midwife
Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM) are registered nurses who are specialized in nursing and midwifery. They provide care for pregnant women who have relatively low risk pregnancies and therefore do not necessarily need the constant assistance of a physician. Nurse-midwives work in an array of settings, including private practices, hospitals, birthing centers, and at-home care. They not only provide care and guidance during the childbearing and birthing process, but also are trained to focus on family planning, gynecological care, and managing common illnesses in adults. In many cases, these nurses care for women from puberty through menopause, and may work closely with a gynecologist or obstetrician to provide optimal care if any serious health complications should arise. In fact, the National Institute of Medicine has recommended that nurse-midwives be allowed to handle more responsibilities in women’s healthcare, according to Medline Plus.
With the ever-increasing population figures, nurse-midwives are needed more than ever. Employment positions for registered nurses, including nurse-midwives, are expected to see a 23 percent growth in opportunities by 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As the health care sector grows to accommodate the increasing world population, nursing positions will grow as well. Registered nurses are the largest health care occupation, and will likely stay in that top position. Overall, the job prospects are positive for new nurse-midwives looking to break into the field.
Nurse-midwives must earn a minimum of a Master’s education in healthcare to become officially certified. Registered nurses looking to advance their careers should consider enrolling in a MHA program. After earning a Master’s degree in health care, prospective nurse-midwives must also complete and pass a national certification exam to ensure that they are competent enough to take on the responsibilities of the important occupation. The standard certification exam is developed by the American College of Nurse-Midwives’ Certification Council, which oversees the certification process of all midwives in the country. After a student satisfactorily completes the examination, he or she will be rewarded with official nurse-midwife certification. Some laws vary state to state, so additional requirements may be needed for particular nurses depending on location.
