Wondering how to become a nurse midwife? A career in midwifery is a specialty area of nursing concerned with pregnancy and reproductive care. By understanding the qualifications of a nurse midwife and education requirements, you can decide if being a nurse midwife is right for you.
There are few things as complex as pregnancy. A nurse midwife is specially trained to care for expectant mothers, from the early days of pregnancy to the first six weeks of postpartum care. Nurse midwives work for a range of employers across different environments, from obstetrician offices to patients’ homes.
Consider how to become a nurse midwife and decide if it’s the right specialty for you. The University of St. Thomas Houston offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, where you can complete your undergraduate requirements in as few as 12 months.
What Is a Nurse Midwife and What Do They Do?
A nurse midwife is a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who works with patients throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. Their duties can include:
- Performing routine check-ins with their patients
- Educating on contraceptive use
- Providing reproductive screening throughout pregnancy
- Treating some forms of gynecological problems
- Providing labor-and-delivery care, including at-home birth assistance
Nurse midwives provide excellent care to women expecting children because they offer a personal and intimate experience during an exciting time in patients’ lives.
Is being a registered nurse midwife stressful? Like any nursing role, this position comes with challenges. Providing care for pregnancies and women’s reproductive health has highs and lows, and nurse midwives must handle high-stress and emotional situations.
What skills do successful nurses have? Find out why patient safety is top of the list.
Steps on How to Become a Nurse Midwife
Midwifery is a nursing specialty area that requires extra steps to become certified, but you can tailor your education to give you the most applicable experience.
Let’s explore the typical steps to becoming a nurse midwife.
1. Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
As with all nursing professions, the first step to becoming a nurse midwife is earning your BSN. Traditionally, this has been a four-year commitment. Other options, like University of St. Thomas Houston’s ABSN program, offer a much faster pathway, with a 12-month curriculum in which you’ll complete classes, labs, and clinicals. With three start dates throughout the year, you won’t have to wait long to pursue your education.
At the end of your education, you’ll be required to pass the NCLEX-RN to be licensed as a registered nurse (RN).
2. Gain Clinical Nursing Experience
After graduating and passing the NCLEX-RN, you’ll need to complete at least a year working as an RN in a medical facility. Most graduate programs or midwifery programs require the foundation of RN experience to better prepare nurses to become successful nurse midwives.
During this time, you can test out different maternity or family fields of nursing to ensure you enjoy working in this practice area. Branching out to pediatrics or working closely with gynecology will give you a broader range of knowledge to draw from once you become a certified nurse midwife.
3. Complete a Graduate Program in Nurse Midwifery
A certified nurse midwife must earn an advanced degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Be sure to choose a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). Nurse midwives most commonly hold an MSN degree, but you may also choose to earn a Ph.D. from an ACME-accredited program. Depending on the program, MSN degrees can take anywhere from 18 to 24 months to complete, while doctorate programs are full-time commitments of two to three years of further education.
Curious about the different levels of nursing? Explore what makes each one different.
4. Earn Certification as a Nurse Midwife
With a graduate degree in hand, only one more exam stands between you and becoming a nurse midwife. All nurse midwives must pass the official midwifery exam through the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).
The test is similar to the NCLEX-RN exam and is comprised of multiple-choice questions, but this particular test will examine how you respond to certain situations as a nurse midwife.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse Midwife?
Nurse midwives must be prepared to spend six to eight years getting education and clinical experience. This includes earning your BSN, clinical hours, and general work experience, preferably in labor and delivery or other related areas. Due to the nature of being a nurse midwife, most employers will expect previous experience before pursuing a specialty nursing position.
If you have at least 60 college credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, the ABSN program at UST is for you. You’ll be able to choose the program start date that fits your life and earn a BSN in as few as 12 months. The accelerated BSN program will equip you with the necessary skills to pursue advanced nursing roles like midwifery through rigorous coursework, skills labs, and clinical experiences.
Nurse Midwife Salary and Career Outlook
Nurse midwives earn a comfortable salary. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a nurse midwife’s annual median wage to be $129,650 as of 2023. This value varies depending on geographical location and where nurse midwives are employed.
Nurse midwife jobs are expected to increase 7% by 2030 due to higher birthing rates and more mothers choosing at-home birthing options. This area of nursing supplies hospitals with more resources and fulfills patients’ adapting needs at the same time.
Ready to Pursue a Nurse Midwife Career?
If you are passionate about women’s reproductive care and want to make a lasting impact on soon-to-be mothers, pursuing midwifery might be the path for you.
If you’re ready to start that journey, contact an admissions advisor at UST to take the first step toward becoming a nurse midwife.