How To Become A Nurse Midwife

How long to become: 6-8 years Degree required: MSN or DNP Job outlook, 2024-2034: 11% growth

What is a nurse-midwife?

A nurse-midwife manages pregnancy, childbirth, and the first six weeks of postpartum care. They also run routine reproductive health screenings, manage contraception, and treat low-complexity gynecological problems. Many patients choose a nurse-midwife for a more personal birth experience, and some private-practice CNMs offer services like at-home births. Research links midwife-led care to better outcomes, fewer interventions, and higher patient satisfaction.

Nurse-midwives work in birthing centers, OB/GYN offices, and hospitals. They can practice autonomously or alongside physicians, providing primary care for pregnant patients, performing physical exams, building care plans, and counseling patients on birth options. The BLS projects 11% job growth for nurse-midwives from 2024 to 2034, faster than average.

Steps to becoming a nurse-midwife

Start with a registered nurse (RN) license, which requires an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). An ADN is the fastest route to the RN, but a BSN is required before you can pursue the graduate degree a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) needs. CNMs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and the title requires certification.

An ADN takes about two years, after which you pass the NCLEX and petition your state board for licensure. State licensure typically requires proof of education, certification, and a background check. If you already hold a bachelor's degree in another field and have the prerequisites, an accelerated BSN program is a faster path toward midwifery.

Most graduate nursing programs want one to two years of clinical experience before admission, so plan to work as an RN first. That experience strengthens your application and builds the judgment advanced practice demands. During this time you can add certifications that prepare you for the CNM role, such as the neonatal intensive care nursing credential from the National Certification Corporation, which requires one year of relevant experience and a passing exam.

A master of science in nursing (MSN) takes about two years full time, or up to five years part time, and is the minimum degree for a CNM. From there you can earn a doctor of nursing practice (DNP). A BSN-to-DNP runs three to four years, while an MSN-to-DNP adds one to two years. A DNP lets you target the population and clinical issues you want to focus on.

After graduating, you sit for the national nurse-midwifery certification exam through the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). To qualify, earn your degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education and hold an unencumbered RN license. CNMs recertify every five years. Once you pass, apply for an APRN license in your state; requirements vary by state.

Nurse-midwife education

The minimum degree for a CNM is an MSN. How long the full path takes depends on how much education and experience you already hold.

BSN degree

A BSN prepares you for an MSN. ADN graduates qualify for the RN license but need a bridge program to reach the MSN.

• Admission: 2.5 GPA, resume, essay, two to three letters of recommendation
• Curriculum: Caregiving fundamentals, introductory science and math, and clinical field experiences
• Time: Four years full time
• Skills: Patient care for diverse communities, evidence-based practice, leadership, and management

MSN degree

The MSN is the minimum requirement for a CNM. Admission usually requires a 3.0 GPA, resume, three letters of recommendation, an RN license, and sometimes GRE scores.

• Curriculum: Gynecologic health, advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology, healthcare ethics, plus required clinicals
• Time: Two years full time
• Skills: Clinical practice, communication, decision-making, and leadership

Doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree

A DNP requires an MSN from an accredited institution. Some programs bundle the MSN and DNP into a three-year bridge. A doctorate positions you as a subject-matter expert.

• Admission: 3.0 GPA minimum, unencumbered RN license, GRE scores, clinical experience with the target population
• Curriculum: Independent management of women's health, the science of healthcare delivery, and clinical experiences
• Time: Three years full time
• Skills: Advanced clinical practice and research methods for improving outcomes

Nurse-midwife certification

A CNM must hold certification to practice legally. The AMCB issues the CNM credential and sets the minimum standards. You need clinical competency in women's health, reproductive care, delivery, newborn care, and treating sexually transmitted infections, plus an advanced nursing degree from an accredited program and an unencumbered RN license. The exam is a four-hour, computer-based test of 175 multiple-choice questions taken at an approved site.

Licensure

CNMs hold two state licenses: RN and APRN. Requirements vary by state, so review your state's standards when choosing a school. Earn your AMCB certification first, then apply for a certificate of authority.

Working as a nurse-midwife

Build relationships during clinicals and field placements, and reach out to practices or volunteer before graduation to line up work. BLS data puts the average annual wage for nurse-midwives at $128,790 in 2024, though pay varies by location, setting, and experience.

Common settings:

• Hospitals (state, local, and private): Primary care for pregnant patients, collaboration with physicians, and nonsurgical family planning.
• Birthing centers: Labor support, emotional support, and monitoring for complications.
• Public health clinics: Work to reduce stillbirth and preterm birth, address disparities in infant mortality, and run women's health initiatives.
• Private homes: Safe, supported home births for families who want them.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take? About six to eight years.

What degree do I need? A BSN prepares you for an MSN, the minimum degree for a CNM.

What affects pay? Geographic location, setting, education, and experience. A DNP can command more than an MSN. Nurse-midwives earned an average of $128,790 in 2024, according to the BLS.

Where does it pay most? Hospitals, especially academic medical centers with larger budgets. The top five highest-paying states are California, Arizona, Massachusetts, Washington, and Iowa.