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Certified Nurse Midwife

A Certified Nurse Midwife is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse who is specialized in women’s reproductive health and childbirth.

HIGH DEMAND

Certified Nurse Midwives are in demand because they care for patients women holistically and fill an increasing demand for out-of-hospital birth scenarios.

Required education
MSN
Average annual salary
Attributes
Higher Salary
Earn more by having advanced skills and responsibilities.
Independent
Work on your own or even start your own practice, in some states.
Patient-facing
Work hands-on, directly with patients.
Structured
Follow a routine that allows you to anticipate and prepare for every situation.
You’ll work with women who have relatively low-risk pregnancies, guiding them on their exciting journey from prenatal visits to labor, delivery, and postpartum counseling.
Nursing bag, medication, and signs cartoon graphic
What you’ll do

Antepartum assistance

You’ll confirm the pregnancy, monitor fetal development and test for congenital diseases.

Education

You’ll teach patients about family planning and contraception.

Intrapartum assistance

You’ll assist and make sure everything goes smoothly as you deliver the baby.

Postpartum assistance

You’ll help mothers after the birth with everything from breastfeeding to newborn care.

Women’s health

You’ll perform health screenings, educate women on sexual behaviors and menopause, and treat gynecological disorders.

Where you’ll work
  • Hospitals
  • Outpatient facilities
  • Patients’ homes
Hear what Certified Nurse Midwives have to say
  • Video still of Jamie Hellman in front of medical beds
  • What it’s like to be a Certified Nurse Midwife

    Learn all about the responsibilities of a Certified Nurse Midwife from Jamie, MSN, CNM, WHNP-BC.

How to become a Certified Nurse Midwife

02

Pass the NCLEX-RN.

03

Get a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which includes Nurse Midwife courses.

04

Get Certified in Nursing Midwifery through the American Midwifery Certification Board.

05

You’re ready to work as a Certified Nurse Midwife.

Join an Organization
Become a member of a Certified Nurse Midwife organization to find career opportunities, learn from your colleagues, and support the profession.
A Critical Care Nurse’s role is also higher-salary.
A Perinatal Nurse is another type of family nurse.
Group of smiling nurses in scrubs holding folders
Group of smiling nurses in scrubs holding folders
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