Nurse Midwife

Your Fit

Income

$129K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

6.4%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Nurse Midwife?

A Nurse Midwife is a registered nurse who has received specialized training and certification in midwifery, focusing on pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, women's sexual and reproductive health, and newborn care. They provide holistic and supportive care throughout the childbirth process.

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Nurse Midwife.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Nurse Midwife earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) is...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$75K per year	$104K per year	$129K per year	$147K per year	$177K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $79K above the national average.

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What does a Nurse Midwife do?

Work environment

Nurse Midwives work in a variety of settings including hospitals, birthing centers, private practices, and patients' homes. They may also work in community health clinics, particularly in areas with limited access to hospital care.

Quick task list

Provides prenatal care, including regular check-ups and diagnostic tests.
Assists with labor and delivery, including natural and low-intervention birthing techniques.
Offers postpartum care to mothers and newborns.
Educates and counsels patients about reproductive health, birth control, and childbirth options.
Collaborates with healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Home Birth Midwifery: Specializing in assisting births in a home setting.
Hospital Birth Midwifery: Focusing on childbirth in hospital environments.
Gynecological and Well-Woman Care: Providing routine reproductive health care outside of pregnancy.
Global Health Midwifery: Working in international settings, often in areas with limited resources.
Midwifery Education: Educating and training future midwives.

Description

Nurse Midwives play a critical role in women's health care, providing a blend of traditional midwifery attention with advanced nursing skills. They are known for their personalized and holistic approach to childbirth, emphasizing natural processes and minimal medical intervention. Their practice is grounded in evidence-based medicine, and they are equipped to handle various situations that may arise during pregnancy and childbirth, including complications that require medical intervention.

In their day-to-day roles, Nurse Midwives build close relationships with their patients, offering not just medical care but also emotional support and education. They advocate for the patient's wishes during childbirth while ensuring the safety and health of both mother and baby. Their scope of practice also extends beyond childbirth to include general women's health care, family planning, and pre- and post-menopausal care, providing a continuity of care that is highly valued by their patients.

The profession requires strong clinical skills, emotional resilience, and the ability to make quick decisions in high-pressure situations. Nurse Midwives must be excellent communicators, capable of explaining complex medical information in understandable terms and advocating for their patients' needs within the broader healthcare system.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Playing a significant role in one of the most important events in a family's life.
Building long-term, trusting relationships with patients.
Advocating for natural childbirth and empowering women in their reproductive health.

You might make a good Nurse Midwife if you are...

Passionate about women's health, pregnancy, and childbirth.
Empathetic and supportive, with strong interpersonal communication skills.
Able to remain calm and make decisions under pressure.
Interested in a blend of traditional midwifery and modern medical practices.
Committed to lifelong learning and staying current with best practices in maternal and newborn care.

Pros:

High level of job satisfaction from providing comprehensive care.
Strong patient relationships and a deep sense of personal fulfillment.
Growing demand for midwives in various healthcare settings.

Cons:

Emotionally demanding and sometimes stressful work environment.
On-call hours and potential for long, irregular work schedules.
Responsibility for critical health decisions during childbirth.

How to become a Nurse Midwife

Typical education

Becoming a Nurse Midwife typically requires a Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) with a specialization in Midwifery, which takes about 2-3 years after obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Licensure as a registered nurse and passing a national certification exam in midwifery are also necessary.

High school preparation

Courses:

Biology and Anatomy to understand human physiology.
Psychology to gain insights into emotional support and counseling.
Health Sciences to get an overview of healthcare professions.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering at hospitals or health clinics.
Joining clubs or programs focused on women's health.
Participating in community service, especially in health-related areas.

Preparation after high school

Obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and become a registered nurse.
Gain experience in labor and delivery, women's health, or related nursing fields.
Complete a graduate program in midwifery to obtain a Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) with a specialization in midwifery.
Pass the national certification exam to become a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM).

More resources

American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) - Provides resources, education, and advocacy for nurse-midwives.
Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) - Offers information on midwifery, including home birth and community birth practices.
National Certification Corporation (NCC) - Offers certification for nurse-midwives and other advanced nursing professions.
American Association of Birth Centers (AABC) - Provides resources and support for birth centers and professionals involved in birth center care.

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