How to Become a Nurse Midwife

Nurse midwives are nurses who have received training in the care of women during and after their pregnancy.  For those who desire to work as a nurse midwife, it is important to work hard throughout school and maintain a high grade point average.

• Focus on taking as many science and math classes as you can during high school, and do your best to maintain a high grade point average.


• Attend an accredited four-year university, and take all of the necessary courses that are required to obtain your bachelor of science in nursing degree, or BSN.  It is important to maintain a high grade point average while in undergraduate school, as admission into nurse midwife programs are very competitive and space is limited.  Many schools will look at the applicant's grade point average to determine if they will be admitted into the program.


• Obtain your BSN, and prepare to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.  This will give you your license to practice as a registered nurse, and is required to attend most nurse midwife programs.


• Apply to schools that are accredited by the American College of Nurse Midwives and the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, where you will be able to obtain your master of science in nursing, or MSN.


• Obtain your MSN degree.  The process to obtain your MSN degree should take approximately two years, which will be spent focusing on intrapartum and postpartum care.  The student will also gain nurse midwife field experience.


• Take the national certifying exam that is offered by the American Midwifery Certification Board, which will give your Certificate in Nurse Midwifery, or CNM.