There is a long list of reasons to become a Nurse Midwife.
Whether you are interested in providing prenatal care to low-income mothers, treating heart failure or restoring cervical integrity, learning about birth and breastfeeding or caring for menopause patients, becoming a Nurse Midwife offers so many life opportunities.
If you’re considering transitioning into this field we’ve created some of the most attractive benefits for you outside of the traditional job market.
The Role Of A Nurse Midwife In Today’s Healthcare System
The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is a national professional association of accredited, nurse-midwives that are members of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). ACNM is a non-profit organization dedicated to professional excellence and the support and advancement of midwifery.
The nurse-midwife’s role in the healthcare system has evolved over time as care delivery has become more sophisticated, complicated and costly.
Nurse-midwifery recognizes that safe and effective birth outcomes depend on many factors, including:
- Physical — an adequate supply of oxygen; normal levels of blood pressure; normal body mass index; normal weight gain during pregnancy.
- Mental — normal levels of fear, anxiety and distress; normal ability to think clearly; the ability to talk with an understanding about the situation.
- Emotional — stress reduction techniques and support for women during their pregnancy, and throughout labor.
Being a qualified nurse-midwife is a wonderful career choice. You will be able to provide primary care and act as a consultant to obstetricians and surgeons when called upon.
Licensed nurse-midwives can prescribe medications, however, they cannot prescribe controlled substances, such as narcotics or amphetamines.
Nurse-midwives may perform ultrasounds on pregnant women in their offices and read those images for purposes of assessing the health of the unborn infant. They may also run blood tests, urinalysis and other diagnostic tests on a woman in order to determine her fitness for pregnancy or delivery.
There is even the scope to expand your career to the doctorate level by taking a look at any DNP nursing programs available. This allows nurse-midwives to accumulate additional credentials in a healthcare specialty.
The nurse-midwife’s role in the healthcare system has evolved over time as care delivery has become more sophisticated, complicated and costly.
Becoming A Nurse Midwife: Why?
If you’re considering becoming a nurse-midwife but you’re not sure if it’s for you, check out some of the reasons below to see if any of them ring true with you.
Enjoy Work-Life Balance
Let’s not beat around the bush, the hours for a nurse-midwife can be long and challenging, but unlike other nursing professions, the work-life balance is actually quite good. It’s common for a nurse-midwife to work 40 hours a week, with shifts typically lasting up to 12 hours.
After your shift is over you’ll be off to pick up your kids from school or take that long overdue vacation. This helps you avoid the sacrifice of family time for career advancement.
Get To Work Where You Want
There are lots of different ways to get into nursing, each with its own individual set of benefits.
Choosing a career in a primary care field like family nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist or nurse midwife gives you options for practicing where you want in regards to work-life balance.
A good example of this is the flexibility afforded by a telecommuting position, something that has become more popular since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Enjoy Flexible Scheduling & Travel Time To Meet Patients Where They Are
A nurse-midwife’s schedule can be quite flexible, offering you the chance to work on a limited number of hours each week.
Travel time is also something to consider, as a nurse-midwife can be sent to treat patients in their own homes, in community clinics, or patients who have been relocated for their own safety and comfort.
Gain Recognition & Prestige As A Career Or Specialty
Many nurse-midwives choose to specialize in a specific area of midwifery and pursue a career as a certified nurse-midwife (CNM).
Nurse-midwives also have the opportunity to take on leadership roles within their specialty, allowing their name, skill set and expertise to become known throughout their communities.
Becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is one of the most recognized advancements in the nursing field.
Financial Stability & Benefits
Becoming a licensed nurse is no small feat.
It requires an in-depth understanding of the healthcare system, knowledge of a vast array of medical terminology and acumen in handling health insurance reimbursement.
Licensed nurse-midwives are able to enjoy benefits such as life insurance, paid holidays and paid time off.
Potential For Career Advancement
There is more than one way to advance your career. Some nurse-midwives choose to become board certified, which is the most recognized and preferred method for gaining acceptance by healthcare providers and insurance companies.
Obtaining board certification has its rewards. It helps you become more competitive in your career as a telehealth provider, allowing you to expand your options for where you can work.
Become A Role Model For Women’s Healthcare
Today, women have a lot to juggle.
Whether it be work or home, there are many factors that influence the health and well-being of women.
Female healthcare professionals have an important role in helping to advance the care of pregnant women and infants after they’re born.
Nurse-midwives are an integral part of the healthcare system in many states across the country.
They can be found practicing in hospitals, birthing centers and even helping out as part of a tele-health team in underserved areas.
Conclusion
Becoming a nurse-midwife requires thorough research and diligence.
You will want to consider what your passions are, what kind of work environment you want to be in and how it will affect your family life.
You will also want to learn as much as possible about the field, including the kinds of patients you may need to treat, types of education your career might require and the benefits available to you.
If a registered nurse is worried about finding enough hours in their schedule to treat patients when they’re pregnant, a nurse-midwife can help keep that anxiety at bay.
