Nurse Midwife

What does a Nurse Midwife do?

Nurse midwives are advanced practice registered nurses who have additional education in the discipline of midwifery. They provide women’s health care that focuses particularly on common primary care issues, such as family planning and gynecological needs of women during pregnancy and childbirth, the postpartum period, and the care of the newborn. Certified nurse midwives practice within a health care system that provides consultation, collaborative management or referral as indicated by the health status of the client.

What might a Nurse Midwife do in a workday?

Nurse midwives:

• provide primary care to women, including reproductive health services such as pelvic and breast exams and Pap smears.
• manage the care of women during pregnancy and labor and attend to women during childbirth.
• examine newborns and provide information on infant care and nutrition.
• educate women regarding contraception, conception, personal care, nutrition, exercise, childbirth methods and other reproductive health issues.
• consult, collaborate with and refer to physicians as the woman’s and/or fetus’ condition warrants.

Developing a Career as a Nurse Midwife

Nurse midwives work in settings ranging from hospitals to birthing centers and private homes. They work in private office practices, health maintenance organizations, hospitals, public health departments, community health centers and with the Indian Health Service.

How much salary do Nurse Midwives make?

Annual Mean Wage
$101,410 (provided by the Occupational Information Network)

How do I become a Nurse Midwife?

Students interested in becoming certified nurse midwives should begin by taking the most challenging high school courses available in science, math and English, including advanced placement courses.

Certified nurse midwives must be registered nurses and complete accredited educational programs to earn a certificate or master’s degree. Finally, they must pass a national certifying exam given by the American Midwifery Certification Board Inc.