Nurse Midwife Schooling Years
If you have always dreamed of becoming a nurse-midwife, there are several steps you need to take in order to get started in your career. First, you will need to decide what type of nursing degree you will pursue. There are several options available, including an ADN, MSN, or doctor of nursing practice degree. Read on to learn more. In addition, you will also want to consider the location and learning style of your prospective student.
MSN
Students who pursue an MSN in nurse-midwifery have a broad range of career opportunities. This degree requires advanced study in gynecology, advanced pathophysiology, leadership, and management. Students will be exposed to diverse communities, including those with different cultural and racial backgrounds, and develop evidence-based practice skills and managerial and leadership skills. Coursework may include gynecological health, advanced pathophysiology, and healthcare ethics. Clinicals are required to qualify for licensure and are an integral part of education.
An MSN in nurse-midwifery is a minimum requirement to become a certified nurse-midwife or CNM. However, some programs allow students to earn both a master’s and a doctorate in just three years. In addition to higher education, a doctorate in nurse-midwifery enables students to focus on a specific population or issue. Graduates of advanced nurse-midwife schooling are eligible to take the national certification exam through the American Midwifery Certification Board, which identifies and certifies certified nurse midwives as a specialist in this field.
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is one of the most common graduate degrees for nurse-midwives. A CNM can practice in various settings, including hospitals and birth centers. A CPM can also pursue a CNM credential to specialize in natural labor. A CNM can practice in all types of settings. Clinical rotations in rural health care, birth centers, and home visits may be a part of an RN to MSN program.
The MSN nurse-midwife program combines clinical work with classroom instruction. These clinical hours may include evening and weekend hours, similar to the schedule of a CNM in her midwifery practice. The number of clinical hours in MSN nurse midwife programs varies from state to state. Usually, students complete around 600 to 900 clinical hours. More than 50% of the clinical hours will be under the supervision of a CNM.
Earning an MSN in nurse-midwifery will take about two years of full-time study, though it can be much longer with more experience. Some students may prefer a bridge program, which involves taking a course in basic caregiving and introductory science classes. After completing their foundational studies, students must complete clinical field experiences. There are also many bridge programs to help students get an MSN in nurse-midwifery quicker.
ADN
After earning an ADN, you can continue your education to become a Certified Nurse Midwife. This four-year degree program is equivalent to an RN license. However, if you have a degree in a field other than nursing, an accelerated BSN program may be a better option. These programs require a shorter amount of time to complete and allow you to earn your license much faster. As an added bonus, you can get your degree in as little as 20 months!
ADN nurse-midwife schooling begins in high school when you have the opportunity to develop key skills that will serve you well as a nurse in the field. You will need to complete core courses like English, biology, and chemistry, as these will play an important role in your post-secondary education. In addition, if you have a passion for human biology, you may also be a good candidate for midwifery.
The certification exam is the next step in the certification process, and you’ll need to pass this exam to become a Licensed Midwife. Most ADN nurse midwives earn an MSN, but you can also choose a dual-focus program. Dual-focus nurse-midwives have the option to earn both a nurse-midwife credential and a women’s health nurse practitioner degree. Upon completion, you can apply for licensure with the New York State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYSED) Office of the Professions.
You can also earn a Master of Science in Nursing. Most nurses who become Certified Nurse Midwives earn an MSN from a program accredited by the American College of Medical Education (ACME). MSNs are usually completed in 18-24 months, while doctorate programs take two or three years. Depending on the state, you can also earn a Ph.D. from an ACME-approved program.
Two-year degree
To become a certified nurse-midwife, you must first have an advanced practice registered nursing degree. This is a graduate degree in nursing that allows you to perform the same tasks as a physician. As of this writing, there is currently no doctorate requirement for aspiring midwives, but the requirements may change in the future. If you are currently a practicing RN, you can earn your BSN in two years and then apply for a bridge program to earn your MSN in a few years.
If you already have an ADN, you can complete your certification requirements sooner. The two-year degree can be completed in about two years with full-time attendance. The program will take you three or four years if you attend full-time, but it can take up to five years if you study part-time. Once you have your ADN, you can pursue a BSN with two to three years of full-time attendance.
You can complete your two-year program online or on campus. If you choose an online program, you will take 49 credits for the program. This full-time program includes clinical studies at local or out-of-state hospitals. Classes are taught in a seminar-style format, with online students having access to all University services. You will also need to get an internship. You may also be required to complete several clinical hours before graduation.
As you work on your postsecondary education, take some broad college prep courses. Take science classes for the most solid foundation, but don’t forget to take sociology and psychology classes. These will help you deal with a diverse population. You may also benefit from learning a foreign language if you plan on serving an immigrant community. This is because foreign language skills are helpful when dealing with different types of patients.
Before you can become a certified nurse-midwife, you must complete a postsecondary education program. To be a certified nurse-midwife, you must complete a Bachelor of Science in nursing or an Associate of Science in nursing from an accredited college. During this time, you must study for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Once you have passed the NCLEX, you must take the AMCB recertification exam within 45 days.
Doctor of nursing practice
A nurse-midwife is a highly sought-after practitioner with a wide variety of responsibilities. They are the primary health care provider for women, providing preconception, pregnancy, and childbirth care, as well as basic nutrition counseling and family planning. Doctoral programs in midwifery are increasingly popular, and several accredited nurse-midwifery programs are available. In addition to educating women, certified nurse-midwives can treat common illnesses and conditions, including HIV, hepatitis, and other infections. They are also responsible for providing information on the availability of family planning services.
A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is designed for practicing nurses seeking an alternative to doctoral programs centered on research. Nurses with a DNP degree will not work in academia or research but will have the practical skills to make a real difference in their chosen field. The DNP program is a three-year program, with year one split evenly between online and on-campus classes. While earning a DNP, nurse practitioners can work in a clinical setting and advance their practice through leadership positions.
To become a nurse-midwife, nurses with an MSN degree can enroll in a DNP program at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. Students with an MSN degree can complete their doctorate in as few as six semesters and 40 credits. In a typical program, a nurse can earn a DNP in nurse-midwifery by enrolling in a seven-year DNP program. The DNP program involves 86 credits in three or four years and includes clinical experiences. In addition to the DNP curriculum, students will complete five practicums, a dissertation, and an oral or written final.
A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is the terminal degree for a nurse. Graduates can choose from several specialties, including family nurse practitioner, pediatric primary care nurse practitioner, and women’s health nurse practitioner. Nurses with a DNP earn a base salary of $107K as of June 3, 2022. In addition to nurse midwives, nurse practitioners may choose to pursue a doctorate program in nurse-midwifery.
