What are the Regulations in Midwifery?
Midwives assist women in labor and delivery, in addition to prenatal and postnatal care. According to All Nursing Schools, two-thirds of deliveries are assisted by nurse-midwives throughout the world. Midwives may assist at home births or work in a hospital or birthing center. Prospective midwives can choose to become either a certified midwife (CM) or certified nurse midwife (CNM), each of which has its own set of requirements.
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Undergraduate Degree
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All midwives are required to obtain a four-year bachelor's degree. Prospective CNMs should pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN), but CNM certification is possible with any health-related degree. Prospective midwives who already have a bachelor's degree in an area that is not related to health or science can pursue a second bachelor's degree in nursing, an associate's degree in nursing or an accelerated nursing program.
Registered Nurse Certification
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CNMs are essentially registered nurses (RN) who go on to complete a nurse-midwifery program. Therefore, if you are interested in becoming a CNM, you will need to complete a RN program in addition to a BSN program. Registered nurses have completed either a BSN, associate's degree in nursing program, or nursing diploma program, in addition to passing the national licensing exam known as the NCLEX-RN examination.
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Graduate Degree
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As of January 1, 2011, all CNMs and CMs will be required to complete a graduate degree in nursing, nurse-midwifery or midwifery in order to take the certification exam, according to the American Midwifery Certification Board.
Certification
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All CNMs and CMs are required to take and pass the American Midwifery Certification Board's (ACMB) certification exam. The exam is entirely multiple choice, with 175 questions. It is administered at computer-based exam centers throughout the United States. As of 2010, the exam costs $750.
Exceptions
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In addition to CNMs and CMs, there are also positions available for direct-entry midwives. Direct-entry midwives include licensed midwives, certified professional midwives and lay midwives. These positions do not require AMCB certification and entail less extensive education than CNM and CM positions, but still allow midwives to practice, usually in private practice or birthing centers.
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References
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