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How to become a Midwife

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published:  February 3rd, 2010

Most direct steps to becoming a nurse-midwife

1. Job shadow a variety of midwives who work in both hospitals and physicians’ offices to gain an understanding of their day-to-day roles and responsibilities to ensure this profession is a good fit for you.
2. Enroll in a bachelor’s of science in nursing program.
3. Upon completing the BSN, enroll in a master’s level midwifery program.
4. Begin searching for jobs in the field.

What credential do certified nurse/midwives have after their name?

Certified Nurse-midwives have CNM after their name. Most midwives will also put their degree after their name, such as MS, MSN, DNP, or PhD, depending on what level of graduate degree they have. All CNMs are also Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and many will also put APRN or APN after their names.

Learn more about the midwife degree.

What specialties or extra certifications can a nurse-midwife obtain?

Nurse-midwives may obtain extra education in such things as performing ultrasound exams, performing vacuum extractions, performing circumcisions, and performing colposcopy exams, which are special exams of the cervix done when someone has an abnormal pap smear. Also, nurse-midwives can perform the role of being the first assistant at cesarean sections. Most of these certifications are short courses administered by certain hospitals or organizations.

What are the professional organizations for midwives?

The American College of Nurse-Midwives is the oldest women’s health care organization in the U.S. This organization is made up of nurse-midwives and certified midwives who can only earn these credentials by graduating from an accredited graduate degree level midwifery program. The ACNM supports continuing education programs for this profession and develops clinical practice standards.

Another organization, the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM), is international and certifies Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs). According to the NARM “This international certification process encompasses multiple educational routes of entry including apprenticeship, self-study, private midwifery schools, college- and university- based midwifery programs, and nurse-midwifery.”

Learn more about how to become a certified midwife.

Do nurse-midwives have to take a certain number of continuing education credits?

Nurse-midwives must complete educational modules to maintain their certification credential, and many states also require that CNMs obtain a certain number of CEUs per year in order for them to renew their state license.

What types of board exams are required to become certified as a nurse-midwife?

In order to be certified and practice as a nurse-midwife, upon graduating from an accredited graduate degree program in midwifery, a certification exam must be passed. This exam is offered through the American Midwifery Certification Board. This exam is multiple choice.