As a registered nurse, you already have the solid foundation, background and expertise to expand your professional career into midwifery. For instance, you may provide emotional support and guidance to your patients, administer medication and treat patients. As a certified nurse-midwife, you provide primary care to women, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For example, you assist in labor and delivery, neonatal care and primary care. To move into midwifery, you must obtain a master's degree. How you achieve that depends on the degree you already hold.

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree

If you hold an associate's degree or a diploma from an accredited nursing program, you must complete a bachelor's degree before moving on to advanced education such as a master's degree. With a four-year degree from an accredited university, you'll receive classroom instruction, education in critical thinking, communication and leadership and clinical experience in non-hospital and hospital settings. Clinical experience during your bachelor's degree education includes supervised work in hospital pediatrics or maternity departments.

Build on Your Education

Regardless of whether you have your bachelor's degree or have to obtain one, you need a master's degree from an Accreditation for Midwifery Education (ACME) midwifery program. According to American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), the programs are offered throughout the country, in full-time, part-time or distance learning study. The master's program typically takes two years to complete. According to the BLS, there are accelerated full-time programs where you can obtain bachelor's and master's degrees. The program usually takes 12 to 18 months to complete.

Become Certified

Upon graduation with your master's degree, you'll have to pass the certification examination given by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) before you start working as a certified nurse-midwife. The examination is 175 multiple-choice questions. Also, it is a computer-based test (CBT). The AMCB has 120 testing sites across the country. You are given four hours to take the exam, and your results are given to you immediately after you finish the examination. There is a fee to take the test. Certification used to valid for eight years; however, starting Jan. 1, 2010, certification is valid for five years.

Source:

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Registered Nurses

American College of Nurse-Midwives: FAQs For Prospective Midwifery Students

American Midwifery Certification Board: Certification Examination

More Information:

American Midwifery Certification Board