Health

How To Get A Job As A Midwife (Nurse-Midwife)

Midwives provide women with personal care, in a home-like setting, virtually from the time of conception up to and including the actual birth of the child.  They advise, teach,  support, and reassure their clients on all aspects of prenatal care, and birth.  Midwives create a close bond with expectant mothers enabling the actual birth to be easier and more natural.

As a Midwife, you will deal with woman of all ages, all ethnicities, and all cultural backgrounds.  Midwives, therefore, must have excellent communication skills,  and be non-judgmental.  They must also be good listeners, patient, supportive, and calm.  Because they may need to do considerable bending, stooping,  lifting, and carrying,  Midwives must be strong, and in good health.  Midwives today are more knowledgeable than ever and keep up to date with all aspects of woman’s health.

Midwifery began as a profession around 1925.  It is considered today that, due to the dedication and care given by Nurse-Midwives, woman who previously would have great difficulty with pregnancy and birth are now able to go through the process safely and successfully.

If you get a job as a Midwife, you will conduct routine health exams during the pregnancy, watch your patient for deviations from the norm, and advise on all aspect of prenatal care.  Skilled Midwives are always prepared to seek additional advice from other health-care professionals whenever it is considered necessary.  The duties of Midwives may vary depending on the location in which they are employed.  Some Midwives may prescribe medications.

Midwives work in hospitals, birthing clinics, family planning agencies, and other health-care units as well as in private practice.  Some midwives also practice as registered nurses.

Education

Those who are still in high school, and think they may be interested in becoming a Midwife, would be wise to take courses in English, biology, chemistry, mathematics and if available, psychology and sociology.

To get a real understanding of the medical field, consider volunteering in a hospital or other medical care facility.

After obtaining a high school diploma, it is necessary to get a degree.  If you have definitely decided to get a job as a Midwife, get a B.A degree in nursing.  Registered nurses are able to go directly into midwife training programs.

If you have a degree in another discipline, there are programs available that combine nursing and midwifery. Very useful degrees in this field would be in biology, chemistry, or microbiology.

A bachelors’ degree is the minimum requirement for Midwife training, but today, more and more Midwives are obtaining master’s degrees and even doctorates.

All Midwives practicing in the United States must complete a Mid-Wifery Program, obtain their Bachelor’s degree in midwifery, and then take and pass a certification exam.

States may vary slightly in their requirements, so make sure you check what is demanded by the state in which you wish to practice.  All Midwives must be trained in C.P.R, and first aid.  They must also be United States citizens and pass a criminal investigation check.