Nurse Midwife

Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Nurse Midwife, Staff Certified Nurse Midwife, Staff Nurse Midwife
Job Description

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.

Typical Preparation

Education: Master's degree

Years in related career: None

On-the-job training: None

Outlook

Projected Growth: 6.4% (far above average)

Annual job openings: 500

Direct AI exposure: 10% of tasks

Potential AI exposure: 49% of tasks

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, average income (in USD) in 2025 was $134K per year.
Bottom 10%Bottom 25%Median (average)Top 25%Top 10%
$94K
per year
$117K
per year
$134K
per year
$157K
per year
$188K
per year
Compared to other careers: Median is $83K above the national average.

What does a Nurse Midwife do?

Intro video

(less than 2 minutes)

Duties

  • 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.

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.

Typical Schedule

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

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

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:

  • Volunteer at hospitals or health clinics.
  • Join clubs or programs focused on women's health.
  • Participate 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

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.