Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

A Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is a Registered Nurse with specialized education that can potentially help prepare him or her to pursue a career in providing assistance to pregnant women and their newborns.

CNMs care for women during the preconception, prenatal, labor, delivery, and postpartum stages of pregnancy and childbirth. CNMs also perform gynecological care and family-planning counseling.

CNMs could pursue opportunities in a variety of settings, including birthing centers, clinics, hospitals, free-standing clinics, schools, health departments, ambulatory care centers, homes, private practice, and in some cases the mother's home, when conditions allow it.

Those who wish to pursue a career path as a Certified Nurse Midwife should be sensitive, flexible, and possess strong communication skills and a desire to help others.

Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Nurse-Midwives should be in high demand, especially in inner cities and rural areas. The Department of Labor predicts that emphasis on high-quality prenatal care should cause continued growth.

Education and Other Requirements

• Successful completion of an American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) accredited program
• License to practice as a Registered Nurse in one of the 50 states
• Master's Degree (in some states)
• National Certification (in some states)
• Successful completion of a written exam given by the American College of Nurse Midwives

Note: These are general requirements and may vary by employer.

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