Certified Nurse Midwives
In the field of nursing, nurse midwives belong to a specialized branch of nursing that incorporates Western and non-western styles of treatment. Any registered nurses (RNs) have switched to Midwifery from the primary professional practice. This change may be for more competitive wages and a better work environment.
What is a Nurse Midwife?
Nurse midwives, like nurse anesthetists or advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), are nurse practitioners who have at least a master’s degree (master of science in nursing/MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP). Because of their graduate degree nursing education beyond the associate degree or bachelor’s degree (BSN), nurse midwives are qualified to provide primary care, diagnose illnesses, and prescribe medication like full healthcare providers. Nurse midwives work in private practices, clinics, hospitals, birth centers, and other healthcare facilities.
The scope of practice for a nurse midwife is very much like that of an ob/gyn:
- prenatal care
- reproductive health
- family planning
- birthing process
Nursing programs prepare nurse midwives for licensure and national certification with the American Midwifery Certification Board certification exam.
Salary and Job Growth
The nurse-midwife job outlook is excellent, with employment projections expected to rise over several years. In fact, roughly 8,100 CNM professionals were employed in the US. This number is projected to climb to 8,700 by the year 2031, according to the BLS. At the end of nursing, nurse midwives belong to a specialized branch of nursing that incorporates Western and non-western styles of treatment. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the average salary for a full-time nurse midwife to be nearly as high as doctors.
Many registered nurses (RNs) have switched to Midwifery from the primary professional practice. This change may be for more competitive wages and a better work environment. In addition, registered nurses can easily transition into the field of Midwifery because most graduates have earned the advanced training required. The credentials needed for the Master’s of Nursing in Midwifery include a 24-month training in Midwifery, after making a BSN, and at least one year of experience in advanced practice. Online programs in Midwifery can go a long way in helping a nurse earn the credentials needed for this field.
In addition, registered nurses can easily transition into the field of Midwifery because most graduates have earned the advanced training required. The credentials needed for the Master’s of Nursing in Midwifery include a 24-month apprenticeship in Midwifery, making a BSN, and at least one year of experience in advanced practice.
Other Trends in Midwifery
Some other trends in Midwifery are how to educate patients about healthy lifestyle living before, during, and after the delivery of their child. For example, Postpartum depression can happen to anyone and occurs in about ten percent of new mothers. The onset of symptoms typically takes place 2-3 weeks after delivery. As a Certified Nurse Midwife, counseling patients after birth is just as important as assisting in the birth itself. Having a child can be as overwhelming as it is joyous. Midwives are often the best people to call to help a new mother adjust to this change.
Legality of Midwifery
As in any field of Nursing, a nurse-midwife can be a very stressful job. Nurse-midwives are on-call throughout the day, as emergencies often arise. Certified nurse-midwife must be alert and ready for all circumstances that could occur. Even with the best training, education, and skills, there are complications and fatalities.
The Patient Protection Act (PPA) and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) both work to establish that insurers develop standards that will provide patient safety at all levels and ensure quality care and that all CNM workers are adequately educated before they enter the nursing workforce. Birth complications have become more common over the past decade. Collaborating with accredited nursing associations and nursing boards has helped ensure that Certified Nurse Midwives can handle the risks and provide the highest standard of patient care to all they serve.
There is a distinction in some states between how regulated midwives are. Nurses who have earned the Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) are legally allowed to operate in any state. However, certified midwives (CMs) are given to midwives in Delaware, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Maine, New York, Missouri, and Rhode Island. They are only allowed to practice in their jurisdiction.
Related:
