How to Become a Midwife Online
- 1). Decide what type of midwife you wish to become. Certified nurse-midwives must complete at least a bachelor's degree in a nursing field, and possibly a master's or doctorate degree. You must also complete both nursing and midwife training, then pass national and state licensing exams before you are certified. Certified midwives have similar requirements to certified nurse-midwives; the primary difference is that certified midwives are not registered nurses. Lay or direct-entry midwives do not require specific degrees. They typically receive midwife training as an apprentice or another form of formal instruction, and typically practice in home deliveries or births outside of hospitals. A certified professional midwife, or CPM, must pass written tests and hands-on skill assessments before being certified by the North American Registry of Midwives. They also practice mostly outside of hospitals.
- 2). Determine whether you need additional certification or licensing in your state. Certified nurse-midwives are licensed to practice in every state, but some states do not allow direct-entry midwives to practice without specific certification and licensing, if at all. Look up your state's requirements on the Midwives Alliance of North America website.
- 3). Research online nursing schools that offer programs or degrees to become a certified nurse-midwife. Compare prerequisites, length of completion and tuition costs to determine which school is best for you. Three well-regarded online nursing and midwifery schools include East Carolina University, the Frontier School and Philadelphia University. If you wish to become a direct-entry midwife, you must receive hands-on training from a practicing midwife, which cannot be done online. If you wish to become a CPM, you can begin the certification process online at the North American Registry of Midwives website.
- 4). Select the top three nursing school candidates and apply to all three. That way, if the application to the first school of choice is rejected, you have backup schools.
- 5). Be prepared to complete hands-on training in addition to online class work. Some programs require in- person training on campus, at a hospital or with another midwife practice.
- 6). Complete all academic requirements. Traditional midwifery courses include nurse-midwifery professional roles and issues; theoretical bases of advance nursing practice; maternity and well woman care; and full scope midwifery care. Programs typically include completion of clinical training in midwifery and a minimum of 1,350 hours under the supervision and direction of a midwife. Participation in prenatal, labor, birth, postpartum and newborn care are part of clinical training.
- 7). Prepare for the North American Registry of Midwifes exam once you complete all program work and requirements,if you plan to become a CPM. For certified nurse-midwives, register to take your state's licensing exam. For direct-entry midwives, licensing and certification requirements vary by state and tend to change periodically. Most states require licensing but not necessarily certification; look up your specific state requirements on the Midwives Alliance of North America website ad complete all necessary licensing or certification.
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