[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]How Long to Become[/hen-ui-text]6-8 years[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Job Outlook, 2022-2032[/hen-ui-text]6% growth[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Median Annual Salary[/hen-ui-text]$129,650[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-sm text-right mb-8 mt-0″]Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online MSN Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Does a Nurse-Midwife Do?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are perhaps best known for pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. However, they also provide care related to sexual and reproductive health, gynecologic health, and family planning including preconception care.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNMs also provide primary care for individuals, including adolescents, adults, and healthy newborns during the first 28 days of life. They care for all individuals who seek midwifery care, inclusive of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Midwives also conduct physical examinations, prescribe medications, and provide assessments, diagnostics, and treatment.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNMs provide these services in partnership with individuals and families in diverse settings such as ambulatory care clinics, private offices, telehealth, community and public health systems, homes, hospitals, and birth centers.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Is a Certified Nurse-Midwife Different From a Traditional Midwife?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A CNM must hold a graduate midwifery degree, a valid [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/registered-nursing/”]registered nurse (RN)[/hen-ui-link] license, and certification through the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.amcbmidwife.org/” target=”_blank”]American Midwifery Certification Board[/hen-ui-link] (AMCB). This certification qualifies them to apply for licensure in all 50 states.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The direct-entry midwife designation includes both certified midwives (CMs) and certified professional midwives (CPMs). Unlike CNMs, direct-entry midwives may obtain certification without first becoming licensed nurses. While CMs may enter the field without nursing training, not all states allow them to practice. CMs and CNMs are educated at the graduate level, have the same scope of practice, and sit for the same AMCB national certification exam. CMs can practice in 11 states and the District of Columbia.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most direct-entry midwives hold the CPM credential, which trains providers for out-of-hospital deliveries, including in private homes and birth centers. CPMs sometimes practice in hospitals in low-resource countries outside of the United States.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In comparison, traditional midwives lack formal nursing education but have acquired training through direct experience. These unlicensed midwives, typically working with poor and/or rural populations, rely on their experience, knowledge of traditional (or folk) medicine, and the trust of the communities they serve. However, they might not have a legal right to practice midwifery, though this will depend on the state where they practice.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Become a Certified Nurse-Midwife[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To become a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-midwife/how-to-become-a-nurse-midwife/”]certified nurse-midwife[/hen-ui-link], you must earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing, obtain an RN license, and get national certification and licensure in the state where you intend to practice.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Earn a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/bsn/”]bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)[/hen-ui-link] degree.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A BSN degree takes about four years. It is possible to complete an accelerated BSN in 18-24 months if you have another bachelor’s degree and the prerequisite science courses.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/nclex/things-to-know-about-the-nclex-exam/”]Pass the NCLEX-RN exam[/hen-ui-link] to receive licensure.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]After earning their degree, students apply for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). State nursing boards use exam results to determine whether you have the necessary knowledge to practice.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Get your advanced degree.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses with BSNs may pursue a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/msn/types-of-masters-degrees-in-nursing/”]master’s degree in nursing[/hen-ui-link], a related master’s degree, or a doctorate with a midwife specialization. A master’s degree takes about two years while a doctorate takes about four years. Be sure your program meets all applicable licensure and certification requirements in your state.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Pass the board exam.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Before you can practice as a CNM, you must pass the certifying exam offered by the AMCB.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Do Certified Nurse-Midwives Make?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certified nurse-midwives can earn six-figure salaries in an in-demand field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurse-midwives earn a median salary of $129,650. Their salary ranges from $87,320 to $177,530 depending on setting and experience. The BLS projects nurse-midwife jobs to grow 6% between 2022-2032, which is about twice as fast as the national average for all occupations[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Certified Nurse-Midwives[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How long does it take to become a certified nurse-midwife?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Generally, it takes 6-8 years to become a certified nurse-midwife. However, the time can vary based on personal obligations, program requirements, and other factors.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Do nurse-midwives deliver babies?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes. Nurse-midwives are trained to assist women and babies before, during, and after delivery. They may deliver babies at hospitals, in the patient’s home, or at a birthing center.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What are the benefits of earning a doctorate for nurse-midwives?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As in other fields, earning a doctoral degree can open new doors for nurse-midwives, including potentially higher pay and an increase in professional responsibilities and opportunities.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Do nurse-midwives make a comfortable living?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certified nurse-midwives earned a median salary of $129,650, substantially higher than the national average.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”my-8″ tag=”em”]This page was last reviewed on July 17, 2024.[/hen-ui-text]