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?

  • 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 and 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 to private homes. They work in private office practices, health maintenance organizations, hospitals, public health departments, community health centers, and Indian Health Service.

How much does a nurse midwife earn?

  • $60,000 - $95,000

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.

Where else can I learn about becoming a nurse midwife?

Virginia Nurses Association
7113 Three Chopt Road / Richmond, VA 23226
tel:  (804) 282-1808 / web:  www.virginianurses.com

American College of Nurse-Midwives
8403 Colesville Road, Suite 1550 / Silver Spring, MD 20910
tel:  (240) 485-1800 / web:  www.midwife.org

American Nurses Association
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 400 / Silver Spring, MD 20910-3492
tel:  (301) 628-5000 or (800) 274-4ANA (4262) / web:  www.ana.org

Midwives Alliance of North America
611 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, #1700 / Washington DC 20003-4303
tel:  (888) 923-MANA (6262) / web:  www.mana.org

State License Requirements for Nurse Midwife:

A license is required to practice as a nurse practitioner in the state of Virginia. For more information on licensure, applications and forms, visit www.dhp.virginia.gov/nursing.

Virginia Board of Nursing
Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300 / Henrico, VA 23233
Phone: (804) 367-4515 / Email: nursebd@dhp.virginia.gov

Educational Institutions in Virginia for Nurse Midwife: