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How long is the schooling process to become a nurse midwife?
#nursing #medical
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Tonya’s Answer
The length of time depends on the school’s program and how you advance through the degrees to become a midwife. For myself as a certified nurse midwife, I completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 4-years and the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - midwifery program in 2-years (with an additional year in school part-time as a women’s health nurse practitioner because the midwifery program did not start until the following year of being accepted into graduate school). Your path can be different to follow the needs and goals of your life at any point of time.
The reason the time depends is first due to the school’s program. There are nursing schools that combine the BSN and lead right into a Master of Science degree in Midwifery or even lead into a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. And, there are accelerated BSN programs that take less than 4-years to complete (there are specific requirements for entering this type of program). For my journey, after completing my BSN, I worked as a registered nurse for 2-years before returning for my MSN. However, a fellow midwifery student I attended school with went directly from her BSN to the MSN midwifery program. Some nurse midwifery programs require experience working as a nurse before being accepted into the program and the required length of time working may vary. At the same time, some schools do not have a work requirement before starting. For example, look at the University of California San Francisco’s website for their application requirements (see link below).
In nursing school you will complete science classes (biology, chemistry, anatomy & physiology, pharmacology, statistics; nursing courses such as medical/surgical (aka med/surg), maternal care, pediatrics, behavioral health, and more. In midwifery school you will complete science, public/community health, and midwifery classes. As a nurse and midwife you will also have clinical experiences where you learn how to provide safe and quality care to patients and the community; teach, communicate, and critically think.
Secondly, the reason the time may vary is how you advance in the program. For example, if the school requires full-time attendance you will complete the program faster than if there is an opportunity to attend part-time.
I see you live in California, so I included midwifery programs in California. And, if you are looking at schools in other states the resources below will help you locate additional schools.
All the best in your search and studies.
Accredited Midwifery Schools: https://portal.midwife.org/education/accredited-programs
Please note, the schools listed below are not recommendations, yet schools located in your state with midwifery programs.
*California State University, Fullerton School of Nursing
http://nursing.fullerton.edu/programs/msnWHC/index.php
*University of California San Francisco:
https://nursing.ucsf.edu/academics/programs/master-science-advanced-practice-programs/certified-nurse-midwife-womens-health-nurse-practitioner
Bachelor of Science Nursing Programs
*American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2021). Find Accredited Programs. https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE-Accreditation/Overview-of-Accreditation/Find-Accredited-Programs
*Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (2021). Search ACEN Accredited Nursing Programs.
http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm
Certified Nurse Midwifery Programs & Learn more about Midwifery
(scroll down on the website and click become a midwife)
*American College of Nurse Midwives (2021). Home. https://www.midwife.org/
Other Midwifery Resources:
Midwives Alliance North America (2021). Home.
https://mana.org/about-midwives/what-is-a-midwife
International Confederation of Midwives (2021). Home. https://www.internationalmidwives.org/
The reason the time depends is first due to the school’s program. There are nursing schools that combine the BSN and lead right into a Master of Science degree in Midwifery or even lead into a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. And, there are accelerated BSN programs that take less than 4-years to complete (there are specific requirements for entering this type of program). For my journey, after completing my BSN, I worked as a registered nurse for 2-years before returning for my MSN. However, a fellow midwifery student I attended school with went directly from her BSN to the MSN midwifery program. Some nurse midwifery programs require experience working as a nurse before being accepted into the program and the required length of time working may vary. At the same time, some schools do not have a work requirement before starting. For example, look at the University of California San Francisco’s website for their application requirements (see link below).
In nursing school you will complete science classes (biology, chemistry, anatomy & physiology, pharmacology, statistics; nursing courses such as medical/surgical (aka med/surg), maternal care, pediatrics, behavioral health, and more. In midwifery school you will complete science, public/community health, and midwifery classes. As a nurse and midwife you will also have clinical experiences where you learn how to provide safe and quality care to patients and the community; teach, communicate, and critically think.
Secondly, the reason the time may vary is how you advance in the program. For example, if the school requires full-time attendance you will complete the program faster than if there is an opportunity to attend part-time.
I see you live in California, so I included midwifery programs in California. And, if you are looking at schools in other states the resources below will help you locate additional schools.
All the best in your search and studies.
Accredited Midwifery Schools: https://portal.midwife.org/education/accredited-programs
Please note, the schools listed below are not recommendations, yet schools located in your state with midwifery programs.
*California State University, Fullerton School of Nursing
http://nursing.fullerton.edu/programs/msnWHC/index.php
*University of California San Francisco:
https://nursing.ucsf.edu/academics/programs/master-science-advanced-practice-programs/certified-nurse-midwife-womens-health-nurse-practitioner
Bachelor of Science Nursing Programs
*American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2021). Find Accredited Programs. https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE-Accreditation/Overview-of-Accreditation/Find-Accredited-Programs
*Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (2021). Search ACEN Accredited Nursing Programs.
http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm
Certified Nurse Midwifery Programs & Learn more about Midwifery
(scroll down on the website and click become a midwife)
*American College of Nurse Midwives (2021). Home. https://www.midwife.org/
Other Midwifery Resources:
Midwives Alliance North America (2021). Home.
https://mana.org/about-midwives/what-is-a-midwife
International Confederation of Midwives (2021). Home. https://www.internationalmidwives.org/
Updated
Wanda’s Answer
You will have to obtain a BSN (Bachelor of science in Nursing degree) which is 4 years, then MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) which is 2 additional years specializing in Nurse mid wife. Usually A total of 6 years.