Midwife schooling how long

The application process generally includes:. While some states grant qualified nurse-midwives full prescriptive authority, allowing them to practice autonomously to the full extent of their training and education, others require practicing nurse-midwives to enter into a collaborative practice agreement with a physician in general practice or when seeking prescriptive authority. Depending on the state, applicants may need to provide the Board with a signed collaborative practice agreement at the time they apply for licensure.

Depending on the state, an application for prescriptive authority may be part of, or separate from, the application process. All nurse-midwives seeking authority to prescribe controlled substances are required by law to register for a DEA number. All nurse-midwives in the U.

While some states view the successful renewal of the CNM certification as meeting continuing education requirements, other states require CNMs to complete a specific number of continuing education credits in addition to those required to maintain the CNM credential.

Most states renew advanced practice licensure for CNMs on an annual or biennial basis upon completion of a renewal application and payment of a renewal fee. Membership and participation in midwifery professional associations, at either the state or national level, may provide CNMs with ample opportunity to network with other nurse-midwifery professionals and satisfy their continuing education opportunities through classes, seminars, and conventions, among others:.

Upon completion of a BSN or similar degree program, you will probably be eligible to practice as a registered nurse in your state after applying to the local State Board of Nursing and taking and passing the National Council Licensing Examination. After obtaining the required experience as an RN, you will likely be able to apply for and complete a graduate program in midwifery.

The program you choose should be accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education. A Master's Degree in Midwifery is the minimum requirement to practice as a midwife in many states. Most midwife positions will require you to have passed the American Midwifery Certification Board examination. This is a national exam that is typically taken on a computer and consists of multiple-choice questions.

After passing this exam and obtaining certification, you will be able to apply for a position as a midwife. The following are a few of the most frequently asked questions related to working as a midwife:. Most midwives work in a hospital or clinical setting. However, many midwives may also work in private practices, university medical centers, birth centers or the private homes of patients. A midwife may work typical hours such as 9 a. However, many nurse-midwives also work non-traditional hours, such as on weekends and evenings.

Midwives are also often required to be "on-call" for patients if a patient goes into labor or requires other immediate medical care related to pregnancy. A midwife may provide a variety of services both related and unrelated to pregnancy. The most common services provided by midwives include:. They include lactation support specialists, postpartum physical therapists, prenatal fitness instructors, and new-parent counselors.

Working as a certified nurse midwife can be a lucrative career. These often include:. When researching schools and programs, make sure they are accredited. You must attend an accredited school and midwife program to be eligible to take the CNM certification exam. Depending on your level of education, there are a few paths you can take to earning an MSN with a specialty in midwifery. Depending on your program and the level of education you start with, earning your MSN in nurse midwifery can take two to four years.

Online, campus-based, and hybrid MSN programs are available throughout the country. These programs are often designed with working nurses in mind, and students can take classes on a full- or part-time basis.

Expect flexibility, with courses many times scheduled at night and on weekends, allowing busy students to balance family and work responsibilities. However, note that whichever program you choose, you should expect to spend considerable time in hands-on clinical training in a medical setting. Financial aid is available from a variety of sources, most commonly the government. Other types of financial aid include scholarships, grants, and private loans. Once you complete your degree, your next step will be to seek certification in this specialty by taking the American Midwifery Certification Board AMCB exam.

Passing this exam qualifies you to practice as a certified nurse midwife. The AMCB test consists of questions administered on a computer. Candidates who do not pass on their fourth attempt within 24 months must complete another accredited nurse midwife degree program before repeating the exam.

The American College of Nurse Midwives offers many continuing education classes that are approved by state boards of nursing. CMs in these states must also complete an accredited program and pass a national board exam. Recognition and licensing of CPMs varies by state. Some states require CPMs to obtain a license to practice, while in other states licensure is voluntary. Certification and licensure may take less or more time for some CNMs. Some CNMs may take less or more time to gain certification and licensure.

Becoming a CM may take slightly less time, as nursing experience is not required. A CPM program can take one to five years to complete after high school graduation. Midwives provide primary health care to women during pregnancy and beyond. Some types of midwives, notably certified nurse midwives CNMs and certified midwives CMs , provide gynecological care for women throughout their lives.

Other types of midwives, such as certified professional midwives CPMs deal primarily with pregnancy. All types of midwives guide women through prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care.

Midwifery training is a four-year program, on average. Getting certified nurse midwife program certification is the best way to start a midwifery career in any part of the world. The path to becoming a CNM can seem daunting at times. The list below walks you through the process of becoming a certified nurse midwife, step by step.

As a full-time student, you can get your degree in four years. Whereby you enrolled in accelerated program, you may graduate sooner, while part-time students may have to wait an extra semester or year.

Note, you must also apply to your state for RN licensure. Basically, each state has its own standards, some of which include an additional exam covering state nursing laws. This experience allows you to polish your talents and gain the authority and competence required for advanced practice roles. You can get extra qualifications during this period to help you prepare for your future employment as CNMs.

The National Certification Corporation, for example, offers neonatal intensive care nursing certification to registered nurses. While you can gain certification with either degree, a doctorate can lead to higher wages and additional work prospects. The standards for admission differ from one school to the next. Some programs require applicants to have prior experience in midwifery or prenatal care, but many do not.

You can pursue advanced nursing courses in graduate school, such as fetal evaluation and antepartum care.