Nurse Midwife

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Job Description

Advanced practice registered nurses who provide counseling and care before, during and after pregnancy and childbirth are Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs).

They provide counseling services and care from pre-conception, through pregnancy and childbirth and into the postpartum period.

CNMs and their colleagues, including certified midwives (CMs) also provide primary health care that is family-oriented throughout the reproductive lives of their women clients.

Responsibilities

The need for high-tech interventions for women during labor can be reduced by the services of a skilled midwife.

Midwives are also trained to assist in normal deliveries by utilizing the latest scientific procedures. CNMs attend approximately 10 percent of all non-induced vaginal births in the United States.

At all births in general, you will find a Certified Nurse-Midwife in attendance at 7 percent of them. A full 97 percent of these deliveries occur in hospitals, 1.8 percent happen in freestanding birth centers and 1 percent occur at home.

A common misconception is that midwives do nothing but assist with births. Unfortunately that just isn't true. Nurse Midwifery responsibilities require a whole lot of responsibility, and the education to become a Nurse Midwife can be extensive, due to their core responsibilities. Being in attendance at the birth is an integral and rewarding part of the job but it is only a fraction of what midwives actually do. CNMs/CMs spend about 10 percent of their time giving direct care to women who give birth and their newborns afterward.

CNMs/CMs also provide routine care to women, in addition to the services they provide before, during and after pregnancy and childbirth. Approximately 90 percent of all the patient visits to a CNMs/CMs are for primary and/or preventive care. Routine gynecological services that may be provided by CNMs/CMs include:

Reproductive health visits and screenings
Annual exams and other regular gynecologic care
Peri-/post-menopausal management care

CNMs/CMs are highly trained, skilled health professionals who provide services in a variety of clinical settings. They diagnose and treat patients as well as providing referrals to a specialist when needed.

The CNM/CM is a vital member of the health care team. They collaborate closely with physicians to provide women with an optimal combination of primary and preventative care, which includes specialized serviced as needed.

Midwives come from all backgrounds and walks of life. Some earn their midwifery degree immediately after they graduate from college.

Others are former professionals in other areas, such as teaching, writing, missionary work, or general practice nursing who begin their midwife careers later.

Skills

Physical Endurance	Must be able to stand for long hours and move around constantly, as they are on their feet all the time and need to be able to respond quickly to situations as they arise.
Stress Management	They must manage the stress and pressure that comes with their job.
Empathy	Being able to relate to patients on an emotional level and understand what they go through is super important for CNM/CMs because interact with women in vulnerable and painful situations.
Organization	Must be able to situate tasks and documents so as not to mix up records or medications.
Communication	They must communicate between patients and their families so they have to communicate clearly and relay information at a high level.
Patience	Becoming a nurse midwife and advancing in the field takes time, so it's important to take it slow and easy and save yourself a ton of anxiety.
Detail-Oriented	Must pay close attention to handling drugs to avoid a mix up that may seriously harm a patient.
Critical Thinking	Must constantly be devising new ways of interacting with people, adapt to changes, and learn about the things a medical professional needs to know.

Working Conditions

CNMs and CMs may work in any of the following settings:

Private practice
Hospitals
Birthing centers
General health care clinics
Home birthing services

The opportunities for employment as a CNM or CM can be found in many different locales and environments, but there is an especially acute need for CNMs/CMs in areas that are underserved by all health professions in general.

Some of the different career opportunity options for CNMs/CMs include the following:

Clinical practice
Education
Administration
Research
Domestic and global health policy, including legislative affairs
Public hospitals
Private practices, including in-home birthing services
University settings, including teaching hospitals
Military hospitals and clinics
Public health clinics
International health programs and charities

The hours that a CNM/CM may work during a typical week will vary, depending on the type of care provided and the location.

Salary Outlook

$82,580 25^th Percentile

$96,970 50^th Percentile

$114,090 75^th Percentile

$39.70 Hourly

$46.62 Hourly

$54.85 Hourly

Estimated Annual Salary	Average Hourly Wage	Positions Nationwide
$97,700.00	$46.97	5,000

Resources

Search for Bachelor of Nursing Programs

Certification Exam

ACME Accredited Midwifery Programs

How to Become a Registered Nurse

State-by-State Midwifery Licensing

Title	Company	Location	Posted
Midwife	Atlanticare	Pomona, NJ	12.13.2019
The Nurse midwife is responsible for the management of the uncomplicated prenatal patient throughout the maternity cycle, including the antepartum, postpartum, and the interconceptional periods. This position supports organizational goals by...
Nurse Midwife	VCU Health System	Richmond, VA	12.13.2019
VCU Health System's Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology is seeking an hourly Nurse Midwife. Our team offers full scope GYN, prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care. We specialize in intrapartum care to women seeking unmedicated birth,...
Certified Nurse Midwife	Atlanticare	Pomona, NJ	12.13.2019
This is an exciting opportunity to join AtlantiCare's premier OB/GYN group consisting of 16 physicians and 15 midwives. As a well-respected midwife, you will join a team built on synergy and understanding that the patient comes first. In a Full...
Certified Nurse Midwife	MaineHealth	Belfast, ME	12.13.2019
Mid-Coast Maine Certified Nurse Midwife Located on the shore of Penobscot Bay, Waldo County General Hospital is seeking a Certified Nurse Midwife to work in a per diem capacity. The CNM is responsible for the assessment, plan, implementation...
Midwife	Central Carolina Hospital	Sanford, NC	11.21.2019
JOB SUMMARY: The midwife will be responsible for the physical, mental, and emotional care of their patients during delivery. You will provide prenatal and postnatal education, examine the patient during the course of the pregnancy, and assist...
Midwife	Central Carolina Hospital	Sanford, NC	11.21.2019
JOB SUMMARY: The midwife will be responsible for the physical, mental, and emotional care of their patients during delivery. You will provide prenatal and postnatal education, examine the patient during the course of the pregnancy, and assist...
Midwife	Central Carolina Hospital	Sanford, NC	11.21.2019
JOB SUMMARY The midwife will be responsible for the physical, mental, and emotional care of their patients during delivery. You will provide prenatal and postnatal education, examine the patient during the course of the pregnancy, and assist...
Certified Nurse Midwife	Cambridge Health Alliance	Cambridge, MA	12.04.2019
The Cambridge Midwifery Practice at Cambridge Health Alliance is seeking an experience midwife. Our practice serves a diverse, multicultural client population. In addition to hospital birth, we offer birth at The Cambridge Birth Center. The Birth...
CERTIFIED NURSE MIDWIFE	Bozeman Health	Bozeman, MT	12.13.2019
Certified Nurse Midwife provides healthcare within the scope of practice as CNM license, to the full spectrum of women's health- to include general gynecology care and obstetrics. CNM will provide care for all stages of obstetrics- prenatal,...
Certified Nurse Midwife - Per Diem	MaineHealth	Rockport, ME	12.13.2019
Mid-Coast Maine Certified Nurse Midwife Located on the shore of Penobscot Bay, Pen Bay Medical Center is seeking a Certified Nurse Midwife to work in a per diem capacity. The CNM is responsible for the assessment, plan, implementation and...
Certified Nurse Midwife-Physician Services	Memorial Medical Center	Las Cruces, NM	12.02.2019
Certified Nurse Midwife shall perform the duties necessary to provide timely and comprehensive medical services to Medical Center's patients. The CNM provides care to patients throughout the life span including newborns, children, adolescents,...
Nurse Midwife-OB-Gyn	St. Luke's Hospital	Duluth, MN	12.13.2019
The St. Lukes Obstetricsand Gynecology Midwife practices medicine under the direction and supervision of an obstetrician/gynecologist(s). The Midwife performs medical visits, discharge planning and assists with physician deliveries, and...
CNM - Certified Nursing Midwife	WhidbeyHealth	Coupeville, WA	05.09.2018
Nurse Practitioner or CNM - Certifiedneeded for two Whidbey Island rural health clinics providing primary care to low to moderate income patients of all ages with a higher than average acuity. Seeking Certified Nurse Midwife(CNM)candidates with...
Certified Nurse Midwife	Carilion Clinic	Blacksburg, VA	12.04.2019
Join four CNMs and five physicians in a very supportive and team-oriented practice in the lovely New River Valley of Southwest Virginia. We are looking for a fith CNM to join our collaborative group, seeing women in our two New River Valley...
Certified Nurse Midwife PRN - Women's Medical Associates	Memorial Medical Center	Las Cruces, NM	12.05.2019
Certified Nurse Midwife perform the duties necessary to provide timely and comprehensive medical services to Medical Center's patients. The CNM provides care to patients throughout the life span including newborns, children, adolescents, adults...

Midwife Pomona, NJ Atlanticare
The Nurse midwife is responsible for the management of the uncomplicated prenatal patient throughout the maternity cycle, including the antepartum, postpartum, and the interconceptional periods. This position supports organizational goals by...
Nurse Midwife Richmond, VA VCU Health System
VCU Health System's Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology is seeking an hourly Nurse Midwife. Our team offers full scope GYN, prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care. We specialize in intrapartum care to women seeking unmedicated birth,...
Certified Nurse Midwife Pomona, NJ Atlanticare
This is an exciting opportunity to join AtlantiCare's premier OB/GYN group consisting of 16 physicians and 15 midwives. As a well-respected midwife, you will join a team built on synergy and understanding that the patient comes first. In a Full...
Certified Nurse Midwife Portland, ME MaineHealth
Mid-Coast Maine Certified Nurse Midwife Located on the shore of Penobscot Bay, Waldo County General Hospital is seeking a Certified Nurse Midwife to work in a per diem capacity. The CNM is responsible for the assessment, plan, implementation...
Midwife Sanford, NC Central Carolina Hospital
JOB SUMMARY: The midwife will be responsible for the physical, mental, and emotional care of their patients during delivery. You will provide prenatal and postnatal education, examine the patient during the course of the pregnancy, and assist...
Midwife Sanford, NC Central Carolina Hospital
JOB SUMMARY: The midwife will be responsible for the physical, mental, and emotional care of their patients during delivery. You will provide prenatal and postnatal education, examine the patient during the course of the pregnancy, and assist...
Midwife Sanford, NC Central Carolina Hospital
JOB SUMMARY The midwife will be responsible for the physical, mental, and emotional care of their patients during delivery. You will provide prenatal and postnatal education, examine the patient during the course of the pregnancy, and assist...
Certified Nurse Midwife Cambridge, MA Cambridge Health Alliance
The Cambridge Midwifery Practice at Cambridge Health Alliance is seeking an experience midwife. Our practice serves a diverse, multicultural client population. In addition to hospital birth, we offer birth at The Cambridge Birth Center. The Birth...
CERTIFIED NURSE MIDWIFE Bozeman, MT Bozeman Health
Certified Nurse Midwife provides healthcare within the scope of practice as CNM license, to the full spectrum of women's health- to include general gynecology care and obstetrics. CNM will provide care for all stages of obstetrics- prenatal,...
Certified Nurse Midwife - Per Diem Portland, ME MaineHealth
Mid-Coast Maine Certified Nurse Midwife Located on the shore of Penobscot Bay, Pen Bay Medical Center is seeking a Certified Nurse Midwife to work in a per diem capacity. The CNM is responsible for the assessment, plan, implementation and...
Certified Nurse Midwife-Physician Services Las Cruces, NM Memorial Medical Center
Certified Nurse Midwife shall perform the duties necessary to provide timely and comprehensive medical services to Medical Center's patients. The CNM provides care to patients throughout the life span including newborns, children, adolescents,...
Nurse Midwife-OB-Gyn Duluth, MN St. Luke's Hospital
The St. Lukes Obstetricsand Gynecology Midwife practices medicine under the direction and supervision of an obstetrician/gynecologist(s). The Midwife performs medical visits, discharge planning and assists with physician deliveries, and...
CNM - Certified Nursing Midwife Coupeville, WA WhidbeyHealth
Nurse Practitioner or CNM - Certifiedneeded for two Whidbey Island rural health clinics providing primary care to low to moderate income patients of all ages with a higher than average acuity. Seeking Certified Nurse Midwife(CNM)candidates with...
Certified Nurse Midwife Roanoke, VA Carilion Clinic
Join four CNMs and five physicians in a very supportive and team-oriented practice in the lovely New River Valley of Southwest Virginia. We are looking for a fith CNM to join our collaborative group, seeing women in our two New River Valley...
Certified Nurse Midwife PRN - Women's Medical Associates Las Cruces, NM Memorial Medical Center
Certified Nurse Midwife perform the duties necessary to provide timely and comprehensive medical services to Medical Center's patients. The CNM provides care to patients throughout the life span including newborns, children, adolescents, adults...