Midwifery Schools in Michigan - MI

Whether you want to deliver your baby in a hospital, birth center, or at home, there are health professionals to help you every step of the way. Nurse-midwives are individuals who have a nursing background, but also advanced education in the nurse-midwifery field. This is opposed to those who enter the field as lay midwifes and have less education. Nurse-midwives also provide primary care services and reproductive care across the lifespan, not just during pregnancy. According to Projections Central, which uses data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 180 people employed as nurse-midwives in Michigan. A master's degree is typically needed to enter this field, and employment of these professionals is expected to grow by 11 percent in the state from 2012 to 2022. Nationwide, the BLS reports that demand is expected to be even stronger, increasing 29 percent over the same time frame. This could result in good job availability for those who complete a midwifery program in Michigan, in another state, or even online.

Educational requirements to become a midwife in Michigan

A common path into the nurse-midwife career is to complete a master's of science in nursing (MSN) and take classes in the area of specialization. Courses in advanced assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology are foundational to many MSN programs, not just nurse-midwifery, and prepare students to work as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Applicants to MSN programs, including those in nurse-midwifery, may be able to choose between part-time and full-time options. Those enrolled in full-time study should be able to finish their degree in two to two-and-a-half years, while those enrolled part-time might take up to five years. In Michigan, courses typically found in a nurse-midwife program include:

• Health Economics, Policy, and Professional Issues for APNs
• Research for Evidence-Based Advanced Practice
• Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Practice

Clinical hours are a major component in any nurse-midwife program. These create hands-on opportunities for students to work with female patients in a healthcare setting and learn about the vast array of needs that exist in the field. Students work under the supervision of a professional who provides additional mentorship and direction. Clinical hours are also essential to obtaining national certification and state licensing.

Applicants seeking specialty certification in nurse-midwifery in Michigan must first be licensed as registered nurses (RNs). After that, they need to fill out the nurse-midwifery certification form supplied by the state, and have the appropriate section completed by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). Renewal of the specialty certification is needed every two years and requires 20 units of continuing education in the field. More details can be found on the state board of nursing website.

Midwifery schools in Michigan

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), only one school in Michigan offers a midwife education program at the graduate level and that is Wayne State University in Detroit. The Nurse-Midwife (NMW) program available at the school is 48 credits in length, which includes 20 credits in core and advanced instruction and 28 credits in clinical practicums. The program can be completed in either six semesters of full-time sequential study or nine semesters of part-time study.

In all, students have six years to complete their MSN degree. However, the actual requirements may vary, particularly if a student is transferring credits from another school. At least 24 credits of the MSN degree must be completed through Wayne State.

The program emphasizes use and understanding of research findings, which is why students are required to take coursework in evidence-based research. Applicants to the program must already have a bachelor's degree in nursing and be a licensed RN. The Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) has granted Wayne State University's NMW program full accreditation. Master's-level nursing programs at the school also have been granted accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) through 2018.

The NCES reports that the average in-state tuition and fees for graduate students attending Wayne State University were $13,726 and $1,626, respectively, for the 2014-2015 school year. Tuition at the graduate level increased to $29,730 for out-of-state students, however fees stayed the same. As a note, these prices applied to graduate students enrolled across various subject areas and not just in nursing. Individuals interested in other midwifery schools in Michigan can turn to options offered online. Schools offering online education in nurse-midwifery include, but are not limited to, Frontier Nursing University, Philadelphia University, and the University of Minnesota.

Sources:

1. Accreditation. Wayne State University. http://nursing.wayne.edu/about/accreditation.php
2. College Navigator, National Center for Education Statistics, Aug. 25, 2015. http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?s=MI&p=51.3401+51.3807&id=172644
3. FAQ: Consensus Model for APR Regulation, American Nurses Credentialing Center. http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Certification/APRNCorner/APRN-FAQ#Q1
4. Long Term Occupational Projections, Projections Central, Aug. 25, 2015. https://www.projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm
5. MSN. Wayne State University. http://nursing.wayne.edu/msn/index.php
6. Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Jan. 8, 2014. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm
7. Nurse Specialty Application Packet, Michigan Board of Nursing. http://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/Nursing_Specialty_app_437617_7.pdf