How to Become a Nurse Midwife

A nurse-midwife has the important job of helping to deliver babies. She also aids women who need prenatal care and after the delivery of their child. Should you have the desire to become a nurse-midwife, you should know what it will take to accomplish this.

Instructions

1. Find out all you can about what duties and responsibilities you would have as a nurse-midwife. It is always wise to be informed before you decide to embark on choosing a career. From prenatal care to post delivery care, a nurse-midwife is a key person in bringing babies into the world and the new parents will rely heavily on your professional opinions and guidance.

2. You need to be properly qualified. You must first be a registered nurse before you can become a nurse-midwife. If you are not already a RN, then you will need to go to nursing school for a Bachelor's degree, graduate and pass the NCLEX-RN, the national licensure examination, to become a registered nurse. If you want to become a nurse-midwife in some states, you will be required to get a Master's degree.

3. As a nurse-midwife, you will need to know about specific concerns such as anatomy, neonatology, breastfeeding, embryology, biochemistry, gynecology and obstetrics pathophysiology and more.

4. You have to pass a certification examination to be a nurse-midwife. Certification will enable you to practice in all 50 states and these national exams are offered four time annually throughout the country.

5. Once you are certified, decide what your preference is regarding the kind of setting you want to work in. As a certified nurse midwife, you can work in a variety of places, such as birth centers, hospitals and private practice. In some cases, you can even do home births. It all depends on where you feel more comfortable.