Nurse-Midwife

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Work Tasks

• Help women before, during, and after giving birth, under the supervision of a doctor
• Teach women how to care for themselves and their babies
• Answer questions about being pregnant and giving birth
• Check up on new mothers for four to six weeks and guide them in the care of themselves and their babies
• Work for hospitals and medical clinics, public health departments, family planning centers, and private doctors
• Work with patients and their children, doctors and other members of the health care team, medical equipment, medications, and medical records

Salary, Size & Growth

• $93,500 average per year ($45.00 per hour)
• A very large occupation (2,655,000 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow rapidly (2.2% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree as a registered nurse (RN), plus graduation from an accredited nurse-midwifery program
• Employers Prefer: A master's degree in midwifery and experience in obstetrics
• Skills/Courses: College courses include studying subjects towards a bachelor's degree in nursing, plus 1 to 2 years in a midwifery program.
• Certification/Licensing: All states require licensing by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.